Kissimmee Utility Authority linemen placed second statewide and brought home seven trophies from Saturday’s 17th annual Florida Lineman Competition in Lakeland, hosted by the Florida Municipal Electric Association and Lakeland Electric.

Twenty-six teams and 75 apprentices from utilities throughout Florida gathered to recognize the profession of line work and demonstrate the safety, skill and endurance of electric linemen. The rodeo-style competition consisted of five timed events.

There are two levels of competition in the rodeo: journeyman teams and apprentice. The journeyman teams consist of three members – two climbers and a ground worker. A qualified journeyman has more than four years of experience within the electric utility trade. An apprentice lineworker competes as an individual and has four or fewer years of experience in an apprentice program.

Trophies were awarded to KUA linemen in the following event categories:

Journeyman Team – Austin Franey, Shane Paras and Billy White
2nd place – Dead-end Bell Change
3rd place – Transformer Relocation
2nd place – Overall in Florida

Apprentice Tony Nasco
1st place – Mystery Event (Fuse Upgrade)
3rd place – Phase Transfer

Apprentice Danny Kelly
3rd place – Mystery Event (Fuse Upgrade)

Apprentice Nathan Gault
3rd place – Written Test

Five of KUA’s linemen will now travel to San Antonio, Texas to compete in the American Public Power Association’s Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo on May 6.