West Central Indiana hosted its first ever welding competition on Saturday.
14 welding students from Area 30 Career Center, Wabash River CTE, and West Central Indiana CTE participated in the competition. The competition was designed to test the skill and knowledge of each student’s welding abilities.
Each student competed in Theory, SMAW, and GMAW during the first round.
The five students with the highest scores then advanced to the final round which consisted of a fabrication weld and a 4 ½” horizontal pipe weld. At the end of the competition, the top five students were awarded with trophies and prizes.
The sponsors for this competition were Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 157, B &
L Engineering, Inc, Buzzi Unicem, C&F Fabricating, LLC, Crown, Kiwanis, L & N Welding, Lincoln Electric, Newton Welding & Fabrication, Nucor, Perry Equipment, Smart Manufacturing and Runway Technologies, and Vincennes University.
“I am blown away by the skill and dedication of these welding students who participated in the competition. It was truly inspiring to witness the students showcase their abilities and knowledge,” said Jessica McClamroch, Program Coordinator for West Central Indiana CTE. “I am thrilled to have had the
opportunity to organize this event with Kelly Murphy and we look forward to continuing to provide welding students with such opportunities.”
2023 welding students
Kolby Harcourt, Area 30 Career Center
Thomas Laffoon, West Central Indiana CTE
Hayden Lambert, Area 30 Career Center
Corbin Lawson, Area 30 Career Center
Lucas Lighty, West Central Indiana CTE
Hunter McMasters, Wabash River CTE
Regan Remley, West Central Indiana CTE
Brent Runyan, West Central Indiana CTEConner Stinson Wabash River CTE
Colin Sturgeon, Area 30 Career Center
Andrew Sutherlin, Area 30 Career Center
Logan Walker, West Central Indiana CTE
Ethan Witwer, Wabash River CTE
Karson Wolf, Wabash River CTE
Top 5 placings
First Place - Thomas Laffoon, West Central Indiana CTE (pictured)
Second Place - AJ Hall, West Central Indiana CTE
Third Place - Karson Wolf, Wabash River CTE
Fourth Place - Lucas Lighty, West Central Indiana CTE
Fifth Place - Ethan Witwere, Wabash River CTE
