3 Egyptian Electric Co-op lineworkers win at Lineworker’s Safety Rodeo

(KBSI) – Three Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association linemen won two first place titles at the annual Lineworker’s Safety Rodeo.

Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (EECA) proudly announces its lineworkers’ exceptional
performance at

The annual Lineworker’s Safety Rodeo is organized by the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC).

Eighteen teams including 14 electric co-ops and two municipalities gathered in Springfield, Illinois. The EECA team showcased their agility, speed, accuracy, and safety expertise against lineworkers from all over Illinois.

EECA was represented by linemen Andy Ahner of Carterville, Matt McElroy of Sparta, and Mike Smith of Murphysboro.

They competed in various team and individual events, which included a 40-foot climb, pole top rescue, H-structure obstacle course, cutout change, and head-to-head climbing challenge. The scoring considered completion time, task execution, and commitment to safety.

The EECA team won two first-place titles for the team pole top hurt man rescue and the team cutout change.

Smith brought home first place in the individual pole top rescue, second place in the 40′ pole speed climb, and was crowned the Climbing Challenge Champion.

Matt McElroy won a third-place finish in the individual hurt man rescue.