Eric Flores, a utility line locator with ELM, walked away from the June 3 NRCGA Utility Locate Rodeo as Nevada’s top locator. Now Flores will go on to represent Nevada at the June 24 International Utility Locate Rodeo in Dallas.
Thirteen locators from around Nevada competed in one of three Rodeo divisions – gas, power and communications. USIC’s Brian Alfred took the communication division, Ricky Spurlock, ELM, won the power division, with Flores locking up the gas division. Each division winner took home $1060 in prize money, all provided by Rodeo sponsors. Alfred, Spurlock and Flores went on to compete in the Jackpot Locate for the title of Locator of the Year and $2120 in additional prize money provided by Rodeo sponsors, which Flores ultimately claimed.
Prize drawings during the event’s award ceremony, held at the close of the Rodeo, ensured each competitor walked away a winner. Thanks to the generosity of the Rodeo’s vendors and sponsors, competitors took home TVs, drones, an iPad, Google speaker, and power tool.
More photos available here.
NRCGA Utility Locate Rodeo sponsors.
Competitors enjoying the Vendor Expo.
Mike Marrero, USIC, explains rodeo basics to competitors and volunteers prior to the start of competition.
2017 NRCGA Utility Locate Rodeo volunteers and competitors.
The spoke of a competition wheel.
Master Judge Rick Torrens from KCI explains how to locate at a mini wheel set up for demonstration purposes.
A competitor locates gas lines.
A competitor measures the location of gas lines.
Competitors enjoying the Vendor Expo.
Door prizes donated by sponsors. All competitors left the event with a door prize.
Prize drawings during the afternoon award ceremony made all competitors winners. No competitor left without a TV, drone or other significant door prize.
Division winners, left to right, Eric Flores, ELM – Gas, Ricky Spurlock, ELM – Power, and Brian Alfred, USIC – Communications. Each division winner received $1060 from sponsors.
Eric Flores, ELM, competes in the Jackpot Locate.
Brian Alfred, USIC, confers with the judges after completing his locate in the 3-minute Jackpot Locate.
2017 NRCGA Rodeo champion Eric Flores, from ELM, with his wife and children. Flores won $2120 in cash from sponsors and a free trip to participate in the June 24 International Utility Locate Rodeo in Dallas.