12 Duke Energy lineworkers from Midwest secure spots to compete at International Lineman’s Rodeo this fall

• Lineman’s rodeo competitive events test essential on-the-job skills such as equipment repair and pole climbing
• Winners include lineworkers who tackled recent Indiana storm response and restoration, as well as supported hurricane response last fall

The air was electric and the energy was tangible at a competition over the weekend where 12 Duke Energy lineworkers from Indiana took home top awards at the Midwest Lineman’s Rodeo in Plainfield, earning the opportunity to move on to one of the most prominent and celebrated lineworker events in the world.

Lineman’s rodeos showcase the skills and abilities of electrical lineworkers and involve various challenges that test proficiency in traditional job-related tasks such as climbing poles, handling tools, making equipment repairs and performing rescue operations – while also promoting safety, camaraderie and teamwork. Categories scored included equipment repair, pole climbs and “hurt man” rescues.

Duke Energy Midwest Lineman’s Rodeo 2025 winners include:

Apprentice Overall Awards

1st Place: Calvin Fettig (Noblesville, Ind.)

2nd Place: Gabriel Miclette (Wabash, Ind.)

3rd Place: Jesse Orr (Bloomington, Ind.)

Journeyman Team Overall Awards

1st Place: TJ Lewis (Aurora, Ind.), Bret Lewis (Madison, Ind.), Micah Higgins-Baer (Madison, Ind.)

2nd Place: Jason Washburn, Collin Boschert, Matt Wallpe (all from Noblesville, Ind.)

3rd Place: Marc Mitchell (Noblesville, Ind.), Travis Vidal (Columbus, Ind.), Chase Nickell (Carmel, Ind.)

These top winners from the Midwest Lineman’s Rodeo now advance to the acclaimed International Lineman’s Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kan., on Oct. 18, where they will compete alongside elite lineworkers from around the world. Duke Energy holds three regional lineman’s rodeos each spring to qualify lineworkers for the international competition – including in the Carolinas, Florida and the Midwest.

“We put complete trust in our lineworkers each day to perform challenging, highly skilled work to provide the energy we all rely on, keeping safety for customers and each other as our top priority,” said Chris Lange, regional senior vice president of power grid operations, Duke Energy. “It’s a thrill to see them compete in the rodeo and shine the spotlight on their strong dedication to our customers and communities. 

“Last year was challenging for our team, with multiple hurricanes impacting our Duke Energy territory, including Helene affecting the Midwest,” Lange added. “We’re proud that after restoring power in the Midwest, many of our crews traveled to North Carolina for several weeks to help restore power there.”

Protectors of the power grid

From population growth to the expansion of manufacturing and other major economic development, the regions that Duke Energy serves are growing rapidly, and the company’s increasingly modern and resilient grid is evolving to meet current and future energy needs. Duke Energy’s trusted line teams have a critical role in maintaining and enhancing the energy grid now and in the future.

Duke Energy Indiana

Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 6,800 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 920,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana’s largest electric supplier.

Duke Energy 

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.

More information is available at duke-energy.com