Southwestern Community College (SWCC) career and technical education students had a great run at the Iowa SkillsUSA Championships in Ankeny on Friday, April 8, 2022, with nine students placing first and therefore qualifying for the National SkillsUSA Championships in Atlanta, Georgia, from June 20-24.
SWCC’s winning students, listed by place within their respective categories, follow:
Automotive Refinishing Technology (Secondary Division):
- First Place: Brandon Raasch of Fontanelle, Nodaway Valley High School
- Second Place: Justin DeLeon of Winterset, Winterset High School
Automotive Refinishing Technology (Post-Secondary Division):
- Second Place: Cody Winkler of Lorimor
- Third Place: Donavyn Akes of Waukee
Collision Repair Technology (Post-Secondary Division):
- First Place: Lukas Moore of Emerson
- Third Place: Ethan Mitchell of Afton
Carpentry (Secondary Division):
- First Place: Tyson Smith of Creston, Creston High School
Electrical Construction Wiring (Secondary Division):
- First Place: Osten Blevins of Osceola, Clarke High School
- Second Place: Vicente Butcher of Corning, Southwest Valley High School
Electrical Construction Wiring (Post-Secondary Division):
- First Place: Nate Purdy of Lorimor
- Second Place: Jacob Potter of Bedford
Welding Fabrication (Post-Secondary Division):
- First Place: Dylan Swaney of Bedford; Cole Leuenberger of Waverly, Nebraska; and Seth Varellas of Riverton
Welding Sculpture (Secondary Division):
- First Place: Aiden Evans of Creston, Creston High School
During April each year, Iowa SkillsUSA chapters gather in central Iowa to compete in more than 70 career and technical-related divisions. The top three place winners are recognized. The top place winner qualifies for the national contest which features opportunities to compete against students from all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Pictured above: SWCC welding fabrication (post-secondary division) including Dylan Swaney, Seth Varellas, and Cole Leuenberger.
Pictured below: Collision repair technology first place winner Lukas Moore (far left) and third place winner Ethan Mitchell (far right).
Pictured below: Welding sculpture (secondary division) first place winner Aiden Evans.
Pictured below: Electrical construction wiring division competitors Osten Blevins, Nate Purdy, Cole Mobley, Jacob Potter, and Vicente Butcher.
Pictured below: Carpentry (secondary division) first place winner Tyson Smith.
