Ameren Illinois Linemen Score Hardware at International Lineman’s Rodeo

Ameren Illinois Journeymen Linemen from left, Clint Dasenbrock, Jason Kenter and Blake Mette finished in third place in the timed, pole climbing event at the International Lineman's Rodeo. Oct. 14-15 in Overland Park, Kansas. Photo submitted by Ameren

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (October 18, 2022) – A three-man team representing Ameren Illinois’ Mattoon and Effingham operating centers, respectively, took third place honors in the journeyman lineman pole climb event at the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas, Oct. 14-15.

Journeymen Linemen Jason Kenter (Mattoon), Blake Mette (Mattoon) and Clint Dasenbrock (Effingham) finished third overall in the timed, pole climbing competition. Ameren Illinois had six other teams finish in the top 15 along with two apprentices finish in the top 15 in individual events.

The event this year was the largest ever with more than 1,100 participants (242 journeyman teams and 366 apprentices) competing from across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada and Jamaica. The competition gives the linemen an opportunity to showcase their skills, promote safety and raise public awareness.

Journeyman lineman Jason Novak and Senior Director Craig Gilson led the “Climbin’ for Kids” fundraiser leading up to the event to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Novak, Gilson, and an Ameren Illinois lineman and his daughter, who is a St. Jude patient, presented the research hospital with a check for more than $44,000.