RLC hosts 2026 High School Welding Competition

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RLC hosts 2026 High School Welding Competition

May 19, 2026

INA, Ill. (May 15, 2026) — High school students from Christopher, Mt. Vernon, Benton, Webber, and Hamilton County put their welding skills on display last month at Rend Lake College's 2026 Welding Contest.

A high school student works on a project during the 2026 Rend Lake College Welding Contest, wearing a green protective jacket and a flame-patterned welding helmet.

Students competed to win prizes donated by local vendors and community members including ILMO Products Company and Big R Farm and Home.

Taking the top prize as the 2026 champion in the senior division was Gunnar Battaglia from Christopher High School. The runner-up spot went to Hamilton County's Larsen Hunt. Rounding out the top four placements were Landon Sveda (Christopher) in third place and Jeremiah Barker (Mt. Vernon) in fourth place.

Other top 10 finishers include: 5th place — Clayton Vaupel (Hamilton County), 6th place — Chevy Watkins (Christopher), 7th place — Landon Butler (Christopher), 8th place — Logan Kinder (Hamilton County), 9th place — Gauge Schlake (Christopher) and 10th place — Logan Wright (Christopher).

Christopher High School student Gunnar Battaglia (left) poses with an instructor while holding his first-place certificate and prize at the 2026 Rend Lake College Welding Contest.

Gunnar Battaglia — 1st Place Winner & RLC Welding Professor, Mike Meinert

Hamilton County High School student Larsen Hunt (left) receives his second-place certificate and prize from a Rend Lake College instructor at the 2026 Welding Contest.

Larsen Hunt — 2nd Place Winner & RLC Welding Professor, Mike Meinert

Christopher High School student Landon Sveda (left) poses with a Rend Lake College instructor while holding his third-place certificate and prize at the 2026 Welding Contest.

Landon Sveda — 3rd Place Winner & RLC Welding Professor, Mike Meinert

Mt. Vernon Township High School student Jeremiah Barker (left) accepts his fourth-place certificate and prize from a Rend Lake College instructor at the 2026 Welding Contest.

Jeremiah Barker — 4th Place Winner & RLC Welding Professor, Mike Meinert

Hamilton County High School student Clayton Vaupel (left) poses with a Rend Lake College instructor after receiving his fifth-place certificate and prize at the 2026 Welding Contest.

Clayton Vaupel — 5th Place Winner & RLC Welding Professor, Mike Meinert

Christopher High School student Chevy Watkins (left) gives a thumbs up while accepting his sixth-place certificate and prize from a Rend Lake College instructor at the 2026 Welding Contest.

Chevy Watkins — 6th Place Winner & RLC Welding Professor, Mike Meinert

Christopher High School student Landen Butler (left) poses with a Rend Lake College instructor while holding his seventh-place certificate and prize at the 2026 Welding Contest.

Landon Butler — 7th Place Winner & RLC Welding Professor, Mike Meinert

Hamilton County High School student Logan Kinder (left) poses with a Rend Lake College instructor after receiving his eighth-place certificate and prize at the 2026 Welding Contest.

Logan Kinder — 8th Place Winner & RLC Welding Professor, Mike Meinert

Christopher High School student Gauge Schlake (left) poses with a Rend Lake College instructor while holding his ninth-place certificate and prize at the 2026 Welding Contest.

Gauge Schlake — 9th Place Winner & RLC Welding Professor, Mike Meinert

Christopher High School student Logan Wright (left) poses with a Rend Lake College instructor while holding his 10th-place certificate and prize at the 2026 Welding Contest.

Logan Wright — 10th Place Winner & RLC Welding Professor, Mike Meinert

Christopher High School student Wyatt Tindall (left) poses with a Rend Lake College instructor after winning first place in the junior division of the 2026 Welding Contest.

Wyatt Tindall — 1st Place Winner Junior Division & RLC Welding Professor, Mike Meinert

Christopher High School student Tripp Fletcher (left) poses with a Rend Lake College instructor after winning second place in the junior division of the 2026 Welding Contest.

Tripp Fletcher — 2nd Place Winner Junior Division & RLC Welding Professor, Mike Meinert

Christopher High School student Noah Wilson (left) poses with a Rend Lake College instructor after winning third place in the junior division of the 2026 Welding Contest.

Noah Wilson — 3rd Place Winner Junior Division & RLC Welding Professor, Mike Meinert

In the junior division, Wyatt Tindall of Christopher took first place, followed by fellow Bearcats Tripp Fletcher in second and Noah Wilson in third.

Interested in the RLC welding program? Visit rlc.edu/welding-technology to learn more!

By: Taylor Wilburn

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