DOSWELL, Va. — Rappahannock Electric Cooperative lineworkers and equipment operators showcased their skill, safety and teamwork at the 22nd Annual Gaff-n-Go Lineworker Rodeo, held May 15-16 at Meadow Event Park in Doswell. REC crews earned multiple perfect scores, event wins, top five placements and an overall championship during the two-day competition.
The Gaff-n-Go Rodeo brings together lineworkers, equipment operators and utility professionals from across the region and beyond to compete in events that reflect the technical skills and safety practices required in electric utility work. Competitions include climbing, hurtman rescue, CPR, equipment operation, recloser work and other field-based challenges.
REC’s top finish came from Zach Carlisle, Andrew Gray and Cody Lockhart, who were named Overall Equipment Operator Champions with a perfect overall score. The team also earned first place, with perfect scores, in both the OCR Change-Out and Digger Derrick/Mini Ex Obstacle Course events. Hunter Jost, Matthew Murphy and Travis Scheulen also earned second place in the Digger Derrick/Mini Ex Obstacle Course.
Across Meadow Event Park located in Doswell, Va., the weekend blended competition with camaraderie and community. The smell of barbecue and hickory smoke drifted from the grill competition as families, coworkers and supporters gathered under tents and along rope lines to watch the events unfold. Hydraulic booms, clanking chains, buzzing drones and applause from the crowd created a backdrop unique to Gaff-n-Go.
On the competition fields, equipment operators maneuvered through precision courses while lineworkers climbed poles, completed rescue scenarios and demonstrated the safety skills they rely on in the field. Nearby, drone operators tested their accuracy and control, vendors welcomed visitors in the expo hall and children explored equipment displays between events.
The weekend concluded Saturday evening with an awards banquet, where competitors traded the intensity of the field for celebration with family, friends and industry peers. Winners received plaques and championship belt buckles, capping a weekend that celebrated the skill, dedication and professionalism of lineworkers across the electric utility industry.
REC Results
Overall Equipment Operator Champions
Perfect Overall Score
Zach Carlisle, Andrew Gray and Cody Lockhart
First Place – OCR Change-Out, Perfect Score
Zach Carlisle, Andrew Gray and Cody Lockhart
First Place – Digger Derrick/Mini Ex Obstacle Course, Perfect Score
Zach Carlisle, Andrew Gray and Cody Lockhart
Second Place – Digger Derrick/Mini Ex Obstacle Course
Hunter Jost, Matthew Murphy and Travis Scheulen
Apprentice Perfect Scores
Climbing Skills: Timmy Corbin, Clayton Gay, Matt Rulapaugh, Blake Rhodes, Will Keiter, Blake Blackwell, Bradley Settle, Cole Scruggs, Bradley Hobbs, Shane Beasley
Double Dead-End Insulator Change-Out: Kemp Davis, Blake Blackwell, Clayton Gay, Will Keiter, Cole Scruggs, Timmy Corbin
Hurtman Rescue: Will Keiter, Timmy Corbin, Blake Rhodes, Matt Rulapaugh, Blake Blackwell, Shane Beasley, Jacob Roy, Bradley Settle, Kemp Davis, Bradley Hobbs, Chad LaVigne, Kanyon Newsome
Lineworker Down – CPR: Timmy Corbin, Will Keiter, Kemp Davis, Clayton Gay, Matt Rulapaugh, Shane Beasley, Bradley Settle, Keaton Perry
Journeyman Perfect Scores
Hurtman Rescue: Devin Hudson, Kory Settle and Dillon Sheads; Chad Foster, Brandon Mills and Trey Roberts; Cameron Lewis, Jason Morris and Foster Pearson; Andrew Gray, Colby Monroe and Steven Savage; Hunter Jost, Matthew Murphy and Brady Weaver
Recloser Change-Out: Andrew Gray, Colby Monroe and Steven Savage; Sean Cain, Aaron Clark and Zach Carlisle; Chad Foster, Brandon Mills and Trey Roberts; Chase Goodman, Brandon Linder and Martin Pinon; Devin Hudson, Kory Settle and Dillon Sheads; Hunter Jost, Matthew Murphy and Brady Weaver; Cameron Lewis, Jason Morris and Foster Pearson
Equipment Operator Perfect Scores
OCR Change-Out: Zach Carlisle, Andrew Gray and Cody Lockhart; Sean Davis, Bradley Hobbs and Addison Spicer; Sean Cain, Aaron Clark and Zach Carlisle; Chris Farmer, Chad Foster and Trey Roberts; Blake Blackwell, Brandon Mills and Thomas Mullen
Bucket Truck Hurtman Rescue: Sean Cain, Aaron Clark and Zach Carlisle; Blake Blackwell, Brandon Mills and Thomas Mullen; Zach Carlisle, Andrew Gray and Cody Lockhart; Sean Davis, Bradley Hobbs and Addison Spicer; Chris Farmer, Chad Foster and Trey Roberts; Hunter Jost, Matthew Murphy and Travis Scheulen
Photos:
Andrew Gray, Cody Lokhart and Zach Carlisle, named Overall Equipment Operator Champions with a perfect overall score, took top honors in both the OCR Change-Out and Digger Derrick/Mini Ex Obstacle Course events.
Hunter Jost, Matthew Murphy and Travis Scheulen also earned second place in the Digger Derrick/Mini Ex Obstacle Course.
Lineworkers competed in events that simulate the rigors and challenges of everyday linework.