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MCCOMB, MISS. – The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) on March 5 held its annual District Equipment Operators Roadeo for District 7 in McComb.
MDOT’s Roadeos provide employees with an opportunity to sharpen their skills of vehicle handling, trailer maneuvering and heavy equipment precision. Operators are able to improve their techniques and learn new skills while engaging in some friendly competition. The event and judging criteria provide feedback and let operators evaluate their strengths and challenges.
“At MDOT the goal has always been and always will be improving safety, and this competition allows our men and women to sharpen the skills they use while working on Mississippi’s highways,” said Commissioner Tom King, Southern Transportation District. “The skills and techniques they use throughout these Roadeos can help improve the work they do on a regular basis.”
District 7 events and winners are as follow:
- Lowboy: Fdaran “Chance” Thompson, first; Eric Gant, second; Charles “Chuck” McDaniel, third.
- Single Axle Dump: Cory Beadles, first; Caleb Touchstone, second; Coly Smith, third.
- Tandem Axle Dump: Allen Stewart, first; Caleb Touchstone, second; William “Richie” Fulgham, third.
- Backhoe: Fdaran “Chance” Thompson, first; Caleb Touchstone, second; William “Richie” Fulgham, third.
- Motor Grader: Jason Moak, first; William “Richie” Fulgham, second; Allen Stewart, third.
- Bushhog: Bobby Wayne Johnson, first; Fayette Johnson, second; William Taylor, third.
The top winners from each event advanced to the state finals in June. At the state competition, winners from all six districts will compete and a state champion will be crowned.
For more information about the Equipment Operators Roadeo, visit GoMDOT.com.
Photo captions below:
Lowboy winners, left to right, Fdaran “Chance” Thompson, first; Eric Gant, second; Charles “Chuck” McDaniel, third.
Single Axle Dump winners, left to right, Cory Beadles, first; Caleb Touchstone, second; Coly Smith, third.
Tandem Axle Dump, left to right, Allen Stewart, first; Caleb Touchstone, second; William “Richie” Fulgham, third.
Backhoe winners, left to right, Fdaran “Chance” Thompson, first; Caleb Touchstone, second; William “Richie” Fulgham, third.
Motor Grader winners, left to right, William “Richie” Fulgham, second; Allen Stewart, third.
Bushhog winners, left to right, Bobby Wayne Johnson, first; Fayette Johnson, second.
**Included in each photo, Commissioner Tom King, Southern Transportation District, left and Matt Dugas, District 7 Maintenance Engineer, right.
