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Co-op team in Lineworkers' Rodeo 'wins' big
By Walter Allread
Participating for the first time in the annual Lineworkers' Rodeo, the York Electric team didn't bring home trophies. What they brought back was respect, according to York Electric Director of Engineering and Operations Dennis Lynn.
Lynn has high praise for team members Tommy Huffstetler, Brandon Benfield, Zack Smith, John Elliott, Jamie Clinton and Phillip Leake, who competed in the event hosted by Santee Cooper May 5 at Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner. Lynn said many team members bettered their personal best times on certain events. "All did exceptionally well in all five events," he said.
The rodeo showcases the skills and knowledge of lineworkers in a fun, safe environment. The one-day competition, intended to strengthen the lineworkers' knowledge and improve them in the areas of safety, teamwork and productivity, also promotes fellowship between line-workers for the state's electric co-ops and Santee Cooper. The state-owned utility is the co-ops' chief power supplier.
The rodeo includes competitions for journeymen lineworkers and apprentice teams. The York team competed in the latter. As Lynn notes, "Imagine being in this business only a few months, not even having seen the tools and skill involved in performing this work until recently, and still having the intestinal fortitude to sign up for a statewide competition."
He said the young men realized early in their six weeks of practice leading up to the event that they'd "bitten off more than they could chew," but rose to the challenge.
He praised the team's "total commitment, effort and unity. These boys have worked hard," he said. Team members devoted a lot of their personal time to preparation.
Trey Sandifer, the team's coach, said he was impressed by the group's determination and unity. "I hadn't seen a group of guys get together and try to help each other that much," Sandifer said.
 Lynn notes that York Electric was the only utility represented at the rodeo with team members climbing exclusively in a new fall-protection climbing safety device known as a Bucksqueeze. The co-op is the first in the state to fully implement its use, he says. "The irony ... is that what protects the employee so well from serious injury also slows the employee down." Even so, Lynn said, "They hung in there, did very well and really raised some eyebrows."
With 500 points being the top score attainable, all York Electric team members scored between 485 and 500. Using the Bucksqueeze shaved off a few points for time, but Lynn says he has no regrets. "It will prevent serious injuries and that is the bottom line for us," Lynn said. "We don't really feel the need for speed when it comes to the safety of our employees."
Sandifer, who also helped judge journeyman lineman rodeo events, said fellow judges were impressed with York Electric team members' skills at such an early stage in their careers. A line crew leader for York Electric, Sandifer noted that four of the six team members had less than a year of utility work experience at the time of the rodeo.
"They learned a whole lot going down there," Sandifer said. "They're already looking forward to next year."
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