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JACKSON, MISS. – The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) held its annual State Equipment Operators Roadeo at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum on June 6.
Focusing on efficiency and skill, MDOT’s Roadeos provide employees with an opportunity to display their mastery of vehicle handling, trailer maneuvering and heavy equipment precision. The event and judging criteria provide feedback and let operators evaluate their strengths and challenges. Operators improve techniques and learn new skills while engaging in some friendly competition.
Contestants in the state competition won earlier Roadeos held in each of the six MDOT districts.
Winners from the State Roadeo will move on to the southeast regional competition held Sept. 17-19 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
State Roadeo events and state champions in each event are as follows:
- Lowboy: First Place – Chris Arbuckle ; Second Place – Allen Stewart ; Third Place – Cameron Floyd.
- Single-Axle Dump Truck: First Place – Damon Braddock; Second Place – Brandon Felton; Third Place – Jeff May.
- Tandem-Axle Dump Truck: First Place – Coly Smith; Second Place – Michael Pannell; Third Place – James “Scott” Anderson.
- Backhoe: Frist Place – Jake Burge; Second Place – Jeremy Stevens; Third Place – Blake Wallace.
- Motor Grader: First Place – Thomas Malone; Second Place – Nicholas Brower; Third Place – Kyle Woods.
- Tractor Mower: First Place – Wayne Perkins; Second Place – Nathan Perkins; Third Place – Hunt Hutson.
- Skid Steer: First Place – Fletcher Moorman; Second Place – Leroy Scroggs; Third Place –Ryan Nowell.
- Overall State Roadeo Champions: – District 5, Newton.
Winners are pictured left to right in each photo. Also pictured in each photo are (far left) Earl Glenn, Chief Engineer; and (far right) Commissioner Charles Busby, Southern Transportation District.
For more information about the Equipment Operators Roadeo, visit GoMDOT.com.
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