Let’s Rodeo, Rio Grande!
After an absence of over 20 years from lineman competitions, Rio Grande is back in the saddle in a big way. Our linemen recently competed in the 4th Annual Coastal Bend Lineman’s Rodeo, along with other Group 7 Cooperatives, and we could not be more proud of them.
The Rio Grande team brought home 2nd place overall honors, making a very impressive showing against the field of 8 other cooperatives.
In the individual events, Rio Grande’s team was equally impressive. In the OCR event, Fort Stockton Area Operations Manager Gavin Forst garnered 6th place, and Saul Leyva, also of Ft. Stockton, took 13th. In the Apprentice Cutout Replacement, 1st place went to Rio Grande’s own Brackettville Lineman Toby Minor, teammate Pablo Resendez, also of Brackettville, took 5th, while Jesse Kurkowski of El Paso and Cristian Cantu of Carrizo Springs placed 11th and 13th, respectively. There were a total of 29 contestants in this division.
Gavin Forst took 10th in the Journeyman Speed Climb, followed by Saul Leyva in 12th. In the Apprentice Speed Climb, Rio Grande’s team made another impressive showing, with Jesse Krukowski taking 6th, Toby Minor 7th, Pablo Resendez 10th, and Cristian Cantu 12th, from among a field of 29 contestants. Saul Leyva brought home 3rd place in the Journeyman Hurtman Rescue division, followed by Gavin Forst in 5th, over the field of 18 contestants. Rio Grande’s Toby Minor earned 2nd place in the Apprentice Hurtman Rescue, with teammates Pablo Resendez 11th, Cristian Cantu 13th, and Jesse Krukowski 16th. It was a notable showing over a field of 30 competitors.
In the Apprentice Overall division, it was once again Rio Grande’s Toby Minor in 1st place, followed by Pablo Resendez in 11th, Jesse Kurkowski in 12th, and Cristian Cantu in 19th, over a field of 30 competitors. Journeyman Overall competition saw Gavin Forst garnering 5th place, and Saul Leyva 9th, in a contest among 18 contestants.
We take great pride in our outstanding team of employees, which includes not only the linemen, but all the other positions, as well. They are the ones who take care of the business and you, every day. They are the ones who answer your questions, who take your payments, who clear your easement, who you call when you need help with a power issue, and who will climb a pole for you in 50 mph winds during a thunderstorm to restore power. So if this sounds like bragging, good! I am proud of the team we have here at Rio Grande, and you can be, too.