Employees from Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 2 participated in the annual “Roadeo” competition Wednesday, July 17. ODOT District 1 hosted their Roadeo on Wednesday, May 1.
The roadeo is a friendly competition that pits equipment operators against one another to test their skill in maneuvering equipment through a series of obstacles intended to mimic situations they encounter on the job. Before running the course, participants are required to find deliberate mechanical bugs during a pre-trip equipment inspection.
The competition also included a test of the rules and laws pertaining to holders of a commercial driver’s license (CDL). All highway technicians at ODOT are required to retain a CDL.
“The roadeo is an important tradition for our professional drivers. It allows them the opportunity to exercise practical skills and requires a fair amount of precision,” said Chris Hughes, deputy director of ODOT District 1.
“The friendly competition encourages everyone to enhance their skills to be the best in their county, district, and hopefully the state,” said Patrick McColley, deputy director of ODOT District 2.
The top two winners from both the truck and loader competition will represent their districts at the statewide Roadeo competition, which will be held in Columbus on August 28.
The truck winners are:
District 1: 1st: Chris Miles, Defiance County; 2nd: Chris Lobsiger, Van Wert County; 3rd: Bradley Trentman, Van Wert County
District 2: 1st: Dana Missler, Williams County; 2nd: Robert Repasz, Wood County; 3rd: Zach Wertz, Fulton County
The loader winners are:
District 1:1st: Leon Goyings, District 1 garage; 2nd: Dylan Neff, Wyandot County; 3rd: Chris Miles, Defiance County
District 2: 1st: Matt Nelson, Northwood Outpost; 2nd: Dana Missler, Williams County; 3rd: Chuck Theis, Seneca County
