When Duke Energy lineworkers took the field at the 41st annual International Lineman’s Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kan., on Oct. 15, they weren’t just competing for trophies – they were putting their everyday skills to the test on a world stage.
The competition brought together about 1,200 lineworkers from around the globe to showcase the precision, strength and safety practices that keep the lights on for millions of customers. 78 Duke Energy competitors earned their spots to compete after excelling at regional company rodeos over the past two years. And when the scores were tallied, Duke Energy’s teams had captured 10 awards, including some of the top honors in the event.
Among the winners, journeyman team members Tyler Nickols, Joshua Buckner and Tyler Manick placed third overall and Keith Griffin, Jay Tipton and Sandy Barnhill took first place in the journeyman seniors division, which honors veteran lineworkers.
“Our teammates’ commitment to excellence for our customers is evident in the work they have voluntarily put in to compete at the rodeo,” said Scott Batson, executive vice president and chief power grid officer. “Safely ensuring consistency and reliability each day is their priority and ours. Whether or not they walked the stage and won an award at the international event, we couldn’t be prouder of these teams’ hard work.”
The craft behind the competition
Lineman’s rodeos are decades-old traditions that celebrate the skill and precision of electrical lineworkers. Each event mirrors real-world challenges – like safely rescuing a fellow worker from a pole or replacing hardware on energized lines. Competitors are judged on speed, agility, technique and adherence to strict safety procedures.
For Duke Energy’s lineworkers, the rodeo is more than a test of strength or speed. It’s a demonstration of the focus and teamwork they rely on daily – especially when restoring power after storms or maintaining critical parts of the grid.
“Participating in the International Lineman’s Rodeo means more than just competition – it represents pride in my craft, respect for my brothers and sisters in the trade and a deep commitment to the communities we serve,” said Joshua Buckner, a journeyman lineworker from Marion, N.C. “It’s a chance to showcase the skill, precision and teamwork that define what it means to be a lineman.”
Buckner and his teammates’ performance in Kansas didn’t just earn them awards – it reinforced the value of practice, preparation and the discipline of doing a job safely every time.
Recognition across the board
- Fourth place – Jordan Henderson (Hendersonville, N.C.), Heath Burrell (Hendersonville, N.C.), Miles Bell (Tryon, N.C.)
- First place – Tyler Nickols (Marion, N.C.), Joshua Buckner (Marion, N.C.), Tyler Manick (Old Fort, N.C.)
- Fourth place – William Gandy (Hartsville, S.C.), Zachary Haithcock (Sardis, S.C.), Joshua Haithcock (Sardis, S.C.)
- First place – Tyler Nickols (Marion, N.C.), Joshua Buckner (Marion, N.C.), Tyler Manick (Old Fort, N.C.)
- Second place – Jordan Henderson (Hendersonville, N.C.), Heath Burrell (Hendersonville, N.C.), Miles Bell (Tryon, N.C.)
- Fourth place – William Gandy (Hartsville, S.C.), Zachary Haithcock (Sardis, S.C.), Joshua Haithcock (Sardis, S.C.)
- First place – Keith Griffin (Marshall, N.C.), Jay Tipton (Marshall, N.C.), Sandy Barnhill (Fuquay Varina, N.C.)
- Fourth place – Matthew Clark (Benson, N.C.), Danny Haithcock (Timmonsville, N.C.), Hunter Boone (Southern Pines, N.C.)
- Third place – Tyler Nickols (Marion, N.C.), Joshua Buckner (Marion, N.C.), Tyler Manick (Old Fort, N.C.)
- Fourth place – Jordan Henderson (Hendersonville, N.C.), Heath Burrell (Hendersonville, N.C.), Miles Bell (Tryon, N.C.)
Why it matters
For Duke Energy, the rodeo is a celebration of the men and women who keep the company’s grid resilient and reliable. The same attention to safety and efficiency that earns points on the competition field helps crews respond faster following storms.
Lineworkers also play a growing role in modernizing the grid – installing smart, self-healing technologies that can detect and reroute power during an outage, often restoring service in under a minute.
For many who competed, the event was deeply personal. Zachary Bichard, a distribution supervisor from Clermont, Fla., described the rodeo as “an incredible opportunity to showcase my skills, training and teamwork in a high-pressure environment.”
Apprentice lineworker Jesse Orr from Heltonville, Ind., said the experience combined adrenaline and pride.
“Competing in the International Lineman’s Rodeo is an adrenaline rush like no other – years of training meet the pressure of beating the clock,” he said. “Representing Duke Energy on that field is both an honor and a chance to showcase the pride I take in doing my job with skill and efficiency.”
Carrying the tradition forward
As Duke Energy continues its work to strengthen and modernize the electric grid, the rodeo serves as a reminder that technology alone doesn’t keep the lights on – people do. The craft, safety and teamwork demonstrated in Bonner Springs reflect the same values that drive Duke Energy’s crews in the field every day.
“Placing at the International Lineman’s Rodeo is more than just a trophy,” said Buckner. “It showcases how we as a team have sharpened our skills to respond to storms and outages in a safe and efficient manner.”
