Ameren Illinois lineworkers earn top honors at International Lineman’s Rodeo

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

COLLINSVILLE, Ill., (KBSI) — Ameren Illinois lineworkers earned several awards at the 2025 International Lineman’s Rodeo, held Oct. 18 in Bonner Springs, Kansas.

The reigning “Best of the Best” journeyman champions — Jason Novak, Clayton Gulley and Austin Lewis, representing the Marion Operating Center — delivered another strong performance this year. The team placed second in the pole climb, fifth in the hurtman rescue, and sixth in the second mystery event, finishing eighth overall in the Best of the Best competition.

Another Ameren Illinois journeyman team — Clayton Tanner (Marion), Buck Rodgers (Champaign) and Milton Draper (Alton) — finished ninth in the second mystery event.

Apprentice lineman Jakob Weder from the Danville Operating Center also had an impressive showing, finishing fourth in the first mystery event and fifth in the pole climb competition.

In addition to competing, Ameren lineworkers continued their philanthropic efforts through the Climbin’ for Kids campaign, led by Jason Novak and Paul Koehler of the LaSalle Operating Center. This year’s campaign raised $163,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Over the past five years, Ameren Illinois teams have raised a total of $400,000 to help support children battling cancer and other serious illnesses.

Ameren Illinois officials said they are proud of their lineworkers’ skill, safety, and community service, both on and off the poles.