Winners of High School Welding Contest Announced
Righetti High School took the top prize.
MAY 13, 2014 -- Nearly 90 students from nine local high schools competed in the 17th annual Allan Hancock College High School Welding Contest May 10at the college. Santa
Maria, Righetti, Pioneer Valley, Santa Ynez, Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo,
Templeton and Paso Robles high schools participated in the daylong competition that
offered approximately $9,500 in prizes. Winners walked away with welding equipment
and gear donated to them and their schools by major manufacturers and local businesses.
The first, second and third place schools were Righetti, San Luis Obispo and Templeton.
Categories and individual award winners were:
| MIG Welding – Beginning | |
| First | Kelly Ziegler, San Luis Obispo |
| Second | David Hyder, Righetti |
| Third |
Angelee Breuninger, Arroyo Grande |
| MIG Welding – Advanced | |
| First | Patrick Stemlock, Righetti |
| Second | Adam Wilkanoski, Righetti |
| Third |
Kyle Gresmann, Pioneer Valley |
| OXY Fuel Welding – Beginning | |
| First | Scott Howell, Righetti |
| Second | Alden Solis, Righetti |
| Third |
Eduardo Miranda, Santa Maria |
| OXY Fuel Welding – Advanced | |
| First | Rick Cortez, Righetti |
| Second | Will Jevne, Righetti |
| Third |
Josh Milla, San Luis Obispo |
| STICK Welding – Beginning | |
| First | Zack Cherry, Templeton |
| Second | Chance Scantlin, Templeton |
| Third |
Whitney Hour, Righetti |
| STICK Welding – Advanced | |
| First | Dennis Freitas, Righetti |
| Second | Will Kraemer, San Luis Obispo |
| Third |
Anthony Kerstiens, Paso Robles |
In addition, a timed cutting contest was held in which contestants used oxy fuel to cut a piece of steel measuring one-inch thick by two inches. The winner for the fastest time was Chance Scantlin of Templeton High School.
Prior to the start of competition, each student took a scored safety test and these
scores were added to their welding scores in determining the day’s winners.
Allan Hancock college welding instructor Gabriel Marquez, along with Stan Luis Jr., of Santa Maria American Welding Society (AWS – Section 190) conducted the contest.
Local sponsors included Praxair, B & B Steel, the local American Welding Society chapter, Lahr Industrial Welding, Inc., Melfred Borzall, the Allan Hancock College Industrial Technology program and the college’s Welding Advisory Committee.
Judges included Andrew Mehlschau and Deigo Gutierrez of Lahr Industrial Welding; Brandon Courtner from PC Mechanical; Jos Sanchez from J Fab; Jared Domingos from Jared Domingos Welding; Mike Fontes from Fontco Welding and Engineering; Rob Thoresen from Cuesta College; Steve Bailey from Valley Welding; Carl Manko, a journeyman pipe welder; Bryan Wilson from Royal Wholesale Electric; Bruce Shoun from Spiess Construction; and Cliff Dugger from Teixeira Farms Inc.
Awards were presented following a Santa Maria Tri-Tip BBQ lunch donated by Praxair.
Allan Hancock College offers both an associate of science degree and certificate in welding technology. Specialized certificates are also available in metal fabrication and pipe welding. Classes in blacksmithing and ornamental iron are also offered. For more information about the welding technology program, call 922-6966 or toll free 1-866 DIAL AHC (342-5242) ext. 3335.
- AHC -
GROUP PHOTO: Student welders from Righetti High School took the top prize in last Saturday’s 17th annual Allan Hancock College High School Welding Competition.
SINGLE WELDER: Dozens of students from nine local high schools competed in six categories – beginning and advanced MIG, OXY and STICK welding – during Allan Hancock College’s recent 17th annual High School Welding Competition.