PIKE COUNTY, Mo. — Pike-Lincoln Technical Center welding students have traveled across Missouri to compete in several competitions. These competitions are open to any high school senior in the US.
On Jan. 28, students competed at Missouri Welding Institute (MWI) PLTC students took four places in the top 10, second place, third place, fifth place and eighth place (details below)
On Saturday Feb. 12 students competed at the American Welding Academy (AWA) in Union MO. PLTC students took six places in the top 10. First, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh (details below)
On Friday Feb. 4 students competed at the district welding competition in Hannibal MO. PLTC students placed first (Cole Niederer) and second (Blake Thoroughman) in the individual welding skills competition which consisted of Stick, Mig, Tig, and oxyfuel cutting contest. The Fabrication team also placed first in their competition which consisted of working together to fabricate and weld a rocket stove. ( Will Clark, Daniel Havlik, and Scott McCartney) All 5 competitors will be advancing to the state contest located in Linn MO.
MWI Contest – Jan. 28
Will Clark from Clopton, second place, bringing home a half tuition paid scholarship worth $8,450 and a Victor Journeyman torch outfit. Blake Thoroughman from Silex, third place, bringing home a quarter tuition paid scholarship worth $4,225 and a Lincoln Viking auto-darkening welding hood. Tramaine Chatman from Louisiana, fifth place. And Luke Jones from Bowling Green, eighth place.
AWA Contest – Feb 12
Blake Thoroughman from Silex, first place, bringing home over $23,000 in scholarships and prizes including a Miller Bobcat 250 engine driven welder as the top prize. Ryan Langley from Louisiana, third place, bringing home over $7,000 in scholarships and prizes. Cole Neiderer from Winfield, fourth place, Tramaine Chatman from Louisiana, fifth place. Chase Smith from Bowling Green, sixth place. Will Clark from Clopton, seventh place.
Their instructor, Aaron Ervin, said “I am blessed to be a part in helping this next generation of welders to achieve their goals. They give me nothing short of 100% effort and far exceed my expectations. I want to thank all the parents for instilling in them a good work ethic and morals. I could not do my job effectively without these traits that have been instilled in them.
