Moraine Park Technical College’s Electrical Power Distribution (EPD) program hosted the College’s third in-state Wisconsin Technical College System EPD Rodeo—a hands-on skills competition held at the Beaver Dam Campus on April 10.
This year’s event brought together 80 students from Moraine Park, Blackhawk, Northcentral, and Milwaukee Area Technical Colleges, challenging them to demonstrate their climbing ability, precision, and problem-solving through eight field events: Bell Run, Fill and Carry, Cant Hook Pole Roll, Weighted Handline, Egg Climb, Obstacle Climb, Fuse Change and Brace and Bit.
Judges included former instructors and professionals from across Wisconsin’s utility and energy industries, offering students feedback and an opportunity to engage with leaders in the field.
“Thanks to the efforts of the faculty and staff of MPTC and to the overwhelming show of support from our industry partners, we were once again able to give the students an unforgettable experience,” Kelvin Schlagel, EPD instructor at Moraine Park, said. “The rodeo provides an opportunity for the students to network with other schools and industry leaders all while showcasing their individual skills.”
The 2025 EPD Rodeo was made possible through the generous support of numerous industry sponsors, including: ACEC, Alliant Energies, Altec Inc., Bashlin Tools, DDIN, Irby Utilities, IBEW 2150, JD Laser, Manitowoc Utilities, MG&E, MEUW, Michels Power Inc., Milwaukee Tool, New Holstein Utilities, Tallman Equipment, WE Energies Foundation and Wisconsin Rapids Lighting Commission.
Placements
Bell Run
1st — Ethen Pare, MPTC-PM
2nd — Andrew Meerdink, MATC
3rd — Brady Krueger, MPTC-PM
4th — Krzysztof Jakubowski, MATC
5th — Caleb Landwehr, NTC
Brace & Bit
1st — Nolan Dallman, Blackhawk
2nd — Colin Crofts, MPTC-PM
3rd — Karsyn Banta, MPTC-AM
4th — Tyler Brandner, MPTC-AM
5th — Carson Reis, MPTC-PM
Egg Climb
1st — Kydreel. Green, Blackhawk
2nd — Brady Krueger, MPTC-PM
3rd — Ryan Haffelder, Blackhawk
4th — Carter Diedrich, Blackhawk
5th — Dylan Leach, MATC
Fill & Carry
1st — Nate Batzler, MPTC-AM
2nd — Nick Otto, MPTC-AM
3rd — Tim Anthon, MATC
4th — Ricky Turtenwald, NTC
5th — Oscar Hagedorn, MATC
Fuse Change
1st — Jacob Schwartz, MATC
2nd — Nick Otto, MPTC-AM
3rd — Brady Krueger, MPTC-PM
4th — Tyler Brandner, MPTC-AM
5th — Luke Graf, MPTC-AM
Obstacle Climb
1st — Krzysztof Jakubowski, MATC
2nd — Andrew Meerdink, MATC
3rd — Hayden Lutz, Blackhawk
4th — Sam Williams, MATC
5th — Andy Whaples, NTC
Pole Roll
1st — William & Schwartz, MATC
2nd — Leach & Jakubowski, MATC
3rd — Pollock & Stuck, Blackhawk
4th — Eckhardt & Krueger, MPTC-PM
5th — Stephens & Stokstad, Blackhawk
Weighted Handline
1st — Eckhardt & Lauersdorf, MPTC-PM
2nd — Hebbe & Reis, MPTC-PM
3rd — Jakubowski & Leach, MATC
4th — Haffelder & Suddeth, Blackhawk
5th — Alexander & Landwehr, NTC