Edmond Electric Linemen Take the National Stage 

Three linemen from the City of Edmond recently traveled to Roseville, California, to compete in the American Public Power Association (APPA) Lineworkers Rodeo – and no, it does not involve horses. 

“When people hear ‘rodeo,’ they think of bull riding,” said Travis Matthews. “But we’re out here doing the everyday tasks of our job in a competitive, judged environment—with a heavy emphasis on doing it safely.” 

Journeymen Chance Tipken, Tristan Stefani, and lead lineman Travis Matthews represented Edmond in a national event that tests safety training and features a skills-based competition. Oklahoma lineman David Trent acted as a judge at this year’s events. Held annually in a different host city, the 2025 rodeo featured 61 three-person journeyman teams and 115 apprentices from 52 publicly owned utilities across the country. 

Competitors are scored on how well they complete tasks like climbing poles, managing equipment, and rescuing injured teammates in simulated emergencies. Points are deducted for errors like dropping tools, skipping steps, or exceeding time limits. In each event, the exceeding “mean time” results in a two-point deduction, while exceeding the “drop-dead time” costs five points and ends the round. 

One of the most intense and important events is the Hurt Man Rescue, a drill performed annually by Edmond Electric. In this simulation, a mannequin representing an unconscious or injured lineman is suspended from a pole. The task: Gear up, climb up, and safely lower the “injured” worker to the ground. 

“We hope we never have to do it in real life, but we want to be great at it if we ever do,” said Matthews. “My best time is 2 minutes and 30 seconds, but the fastest at this year’s event was 1 minute and 27 seconds—from a Ponca City lineman, which was awesome to see.” 

Matthews has competed in four national rodeos and said the benefits go beyond the competition. “These events help us build relationships with other linemen across the country. Those connections matter—especially when mutual aid is needed during major storms or disasters.” 

Edmond Electric currently employs 37 linemen, and while no apprentices competed this year, participation in the Municipal Electric Systems of Oklahoma (MESO) Rodeo in October is required to qualify for nationals. 

Next year’s APPA Lineworkers Rodeo will be held in Huntsville, Alabama—and the Edmond team is already gearing up for an electrifying return in 2026.