By Alyssa Dussetschleger

Line workers from across the state gathered to compete at the 24th Texas Lineman’s Rodeo at Nolte Island Park near Seguin on July 16. The event returned after a two-year hiatus, and more than 200 line workers showcased their skills and devotion to safety. 

Thirteen competitors from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative participated this year, and apprentice Andrew Murphy was Bluebonnet's most successful team member. He took third place in the pole climb competition and fourth place in the overall apprentice category, out of 96 apprentice line workers. 

Murphy will have the opportunity to compete at the International Lineman’s Rodeo on Oct. 14-15 in Bonner Springs, Kan. Bluebonnet’s journeyman team of Kyle Kasper, Ty Kasper and Brooks Kasper (Ty’s younger brother), finished 19th out of 42 journeyman teams. 

A three-member Bluebonnet barbecue team competed at the rodeo as well, serving up its best brisket, ribs and chicken. 

“I am very proud of all the hard work the rodeo team put in this year,” said Daniel Fritsche, coach of Bluebonnet’s team and an assistant superintendent of co-op field operations in Bastrop. “The teams did a really good job in some tough events and many apprentices competed for the first time. We have a very good group of up-and-coming linemen. I am proud of all their dedication, not only to enhance their skills, but to serve our members.”

Bluebonnet sent two journeyman teams and seven apprentices to the Lineman’s Rodeo. The 2022 rodeo team members were Brad Young, Brooks Kasper, Kyle Kasper, Ty Kasper, Jordan Boecker, Nick Baker, Dior Smith, Jeffrey Bolding, Troy Moore, Michael Guajardo, Andrew Murphy and coaches Fritsche and Danny Bolding.

Competition began at 6:45 a.m. so line workers, judges, volunteers and guests could beat the heat. By the time strenuous events that required rapid work atop unelectrified poles were finished around noon, temperatures were creeping into the upper 90s. “We had some very long days of practice in the hot weather to prepare,” Fritsche said.

Line workers competed in timed events to skillfully climb and work on unelectrified power poles and to practice safely rescuing an injured co-worker from atop a pole (using a heavy dummy.) Competitors confronted the additional challenge of facing off in several ‘‘mystery events” that were kept secret until moments before the timer started. 

Founded in 1996 and hosted by the Texas Lineman’s Rodeo Association, the rodeo is a labor of love for those in the line-worker trade. The events are designed to mirror challenges encountered daily by utility crews who work, sometimes in dangerous conditions, to ensure reliable power to more than 28 million Texas residents. Participating utilities, the majority of which were cooperatives, also supplied event judges, volunteers and barbecue teams.