Technical studies students place in top 10 nationally at SkillsUSA Championships

A group of 10 students from Liberty University’s Technical Studies Program competed at the SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta from June 23-27, with one student bringing home a bronze medal and two others placing in the top 10 in their fields.

The event is the premier showcase of America’s most highly skilled career and technical education students. More than 6,500 state champions from across the United States competed in 114 skilled and leadership competitions. The championships were held in conjunction with SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference. SkillsUSA is one of the largest hands-on workforce development events in the world.

Liberty students competed in plumbing, industrial motor control, welding, welding fabrication, and TeamWorks (a two-day group construction project involving multiple skilled trades). They qualified for the championships after winning 13 gold, one silver, and three bronze medals at the state competition in Roanoke in March (see results below).

Grant Parker, who is entering his second year in Liberty’s non-credit plumbing program, earned bronze in plumbing at nationals. He said the competition was a great way to showcase what he has learned through Liberty’s program and the skills he has developed while working as a plumber with Moore’s Electrical & Mechanical. For the competition, he had two days (eight hours the first day and four hours the second day) to complete a workstation that involved setting up a sink, including the mounting and plumbing, and installing a toilet flange and floor drain.

Parker said the guidance he received from his instructors, including Bob Hefner (adjunct faculty at Liberty’ Technical Studies), and previous competitors, as well as the time spent in his lab classes helped him prepare.

“Bob was always very helpful for me. Anything I needed, anything I asked for, he was always really quick to get it for me and give me an answer to my question.”

Zachary Connelly finished fourth at nationals in the industrial motor control category.

William Kline, Connelly’s instructor and adviser for the competition, said the students performed well and represented Liberty as Champions for Christ.

“After winning first place at the state level, Zach continued to practice. He is a great example of a student who was willing to sacrifice some temporary comfort to expand (his) future career opportunities,” Kline said, noting Connelly would often come to school even on nights when he didn’t have class so he could get extra practice. “He applied himself throughout our program, and he is already actively working and leading others in industry here in Lynchburg.”

Connelly graduated in the spring and works as the maintenance supervisor for Harco Fittings LLC in Lynchburg.

“The SkillsUSA national competition for industrial motor control was a blast,” Connelly said. “I had the opportunity to compete against every other state post-secondary champion, which is an honor in itself. Ultimately, I placed fourth in the nation, and I am happy with that result.”

Connelly said he was especially grateful for Kline’s dedication to teaching and mentoring his students and for Liberty providing the transportation and accommodations for the competition, which helped him overcome financial obstacles.

“As a new father, finances can be tough, so I am grateful that Liberty gave me this opportunity to showcase what I love to do,” he said. “It was also great to be able to spend time with other students and the faculty of Liberty, which creates a better community for skilled trades.”

Kline said the TeamWorks team, a group of four students tasked with building a construction project over two days, performed at a high level. Ben Jones, a student in the electrical program and team member, was told by fellow competitors that he had “the best electrical work they had ever seen, competition or not,” according to Kline.

“Ben was always willing to stay after class to ask questions and to take on any extra projects in our hands-on lab that he could,” Kline said. “I was so blessed to see his immaculate electrical work.”

Last year, Liberty University announced the acquisition of the educational components of Virginia Technical Institute (VTI) in Altavista, Va., after collaborating for almost 15 years. Through the program, students can pursue non-credit and for-credit options, choosing from courses in welding, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and HVAC. To learn more, visit Liberty.edu/Trades.

SkillsUSA National Results

Plumbing

• Third place – Grant Parker

Industrial Motor Control

• Fourth place – Zachary Connelly

Welding

• Seventh place – James Maxwell

Welding Fabrication

• Eleventh place – Adam Tweedy, Nathan Strock, Luke Peterson

TeamWorks

• Eleventh place – Haley Battles, Ben Jones, Anthony Linardi, Mason Ridge

SkillsUSA Virginia Results

Gold

• Electrical Construction Wiring – Kelly Bourden
• Plumbing – Grant Parker
• Industrial Motor controls -Zack Connelly
• Solo Welding – James Maxwell
• Team fab – Adam Tweedy, Nathan Strock, and Luke Peterson
• Team works – Haley Battles, Ben Jones, Anthony Linardi, and Mason Ridge
• Technical Math – Rachel Wilson

Silver

• Carpentry – Ben Flemming

Bronze

• Welder – Aiden Mumford
• Team Fabrication – Nathanael Rodriguez and Gavin Rooney