CoServ Takes Home Six Trophies and a Ticket to Kansas at the Texas Lineman Rodeo

Photos by BRIAN ELLEDGE
Photos by BRIAN ELLEDGE

For the second year in a row, Luke Hawkins is gearing up for the International Lineman’s Rodeo – but this time he and the Senior Journeyman Team are going as champions, winning first place in the Senior Journeyman division at the Texas Lineman’s Rodeo.

Luke, Alex Garza, and Chris Hammonds have won several trophies over the years, but this is the first time they’ve won first place. Events included an egg race, the hurt man rescue, fixing a downed power line, and changing an insulator.

“We knew we could do better than what we’ve shown because we’ve done it in practice,” said Luke, CoServ’s Job Training and Safety Specialist. “We finally got to the top of the mountain, and it’s pretty rewarding.”

CoServ Senior Journeyman Team
Luke Hawkins, Alex Garza, and Chris Hammonds won 1st Place in the Senior 45+ Journeyman Division.
CoServ Senior Journeyman Team Luke Hawkins, Alex Garza, and Chris Hammonds won 1st Place in the Senior 45+ Journeyman Division.
CoServ Journeyman Team
Cody McBee, Jared Day, and Justin Brown won 4th Place
Overall in the Cooperative Journeyman Division.
CoServ Journeyman Team Cody McBee, Jared Day, and Justin Brown won 4th Place Overall in the Cooperative Journeyman Division.
CoServ Cooking Team
Slade Wright and Craig Scoggins won
1st Place Chicken, 1st Place Ribs, 2nd Place Brisket,
and 1st Place Overall in the BBQ Cook-Off.
CoServ Cooking Team Slade Wright and Craig Scoggins won 1st Place Chicken, 1st Place Ribs, 2nd Place Brisket, and 1st Place Overall in the BBQ Cook-Off.

The International Lineman’s Rodeo will be Oct. 14-17 in Overland Park, Kansas. It’s commonly referred to as the Super Bowl of lineman rodeos, where only the best of the best compete. The International Rodeo requires senior teams to be 50 years or older, rather than 45, like the Texas rodeo. That meant Luke’s team had to compete in the general journeyman competition in Kansas City against younger linemen last year.

“We still beat quite a few teams, not to brag or anything,” Luke said.

Now, they’re all 50 and up so they can compete in the Senior Division.

CoServ will also be represented by the Journeyman Team consisting of Cody McBee, Jared Day, and Justin Brown. They finished in fourth place overall in the Co-op Journeyman Division at the Texas event.

Journeyman Jake Garcia and Jeshua Price will be judges at the international competition.

Jared Day competes in the Downed Conductor Competition.
Jared Day competes in the Downed Conductor Competition.
Chris Hammonds competes in the Pole Climb Competition.
Chris Hammonds competes in the Pole Climb Competition.