Colorado Springs--A young student taps out a dent on a fender as a volunteer judge looks on. The fender he's working on and the tools and materials used are all donations from local collision repair venders and businesses. That industry support makes the state SkillsUSA competition possible, said Colorado SkillsUSA Collision Chairman Frank Phillips, a material damage compliance manager for National Farmers Union Insurance Co.
The annual event that took place April 19-20 at Pikes Peak Community College included 22 high school and college students from across the state who competed in eight contest areas, ranging from sheet metal repair to structural repair, Phillips said.
"In 18 years of being involved with the contest as a competitor, instructor, judge, and chairperson, I am proud to say that this year was one of the best," he said, adding that the estimated cost to hold the event is $50,000. "This is a remarkable contribution from the industry."
Students vied for the top three spots in two divisions with the first-place finishers advancing to the National Leadership and Skills Conference on June 26-29 in Kansas City, Mo. The schools represented included: Morgan Community College, Pikes Peak Community College, Pueblo Community College, and Warren Tech, Phillips said.
Finishing in the top three for the Colorado secondary division in collision repair were: Simon Benedict of Warren Tech, first place; Mat Bourdreau of Pikes Peak Community College, second; and Fred Golemboski of Morgan Community College, third. The postsecondary division was swept by Warren Tech students--John Swenson first, Mario Smith second, and Luther Baumer third.
Judges for the day's event included: Sisto Ferri, American Family Insurance; Patrick Matthews and Tyler Matthews, Eagle Industries LLC; Greg Foiles, Fort Morgan Autobody; Gordon Rauss and Keith Zeornes, Auto Paint & Equipment; Richard Turner, PPG Industries; Bill McCammon, State Farm Insurance; John Bennett and Jason Kurtze, American Classics; Craig Minnie, Rickenbaugh Cadillac; Jamie Angell, ABRA Auto Body & Glass; Rusty Howell and Joseph Archuleta, National Farmers Union Insurance Co.; Kent Conrad, CCC Information; Art Milner and Ed Wilmer, A&H Finishing; Barb McGowan, Five Star Collision Center; Bob Weir, Kent Automotive; and Nick Ranker, former Warren Tech student and international SkillsUSA competitor.
Companies who provided money, materials, or prizes include: Chief Automotive, American Family Insurance, Auto Paint & Equipment, B&E Auto Service, Sherwin-Williams, Kent Automotive, State Farm Insurance, Eagle Industries, Keystone Automotive, PPG Industries, ABRA, National Farmers Union Insurance, Lincoln Electric Co., I-CAR, Linweld Supply, A&H Finishing, CARS Collision, Snap-on Tools, Pikes Peak Community College, Morgan Community College, Pueblo Community College, Warren Tech, Panasonic Solutions, CCC Information Services, and Askew Equipment.
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