INA, Ill. (April 22, 2022) — While they all get to show their true mettle, only 10 make the cut at Rend Lake College's annual high school welding competition. This year's contest was a close one.
Taking the top prize as the 2022 champion was Hamilton County High School senior Kaleb Middendorf. The runner-up spot went to fellow Fox, Remington Stevens. Rounding out the first team was Xander Clark (Wayne City), William Reese (Christopher) in fourth, and fifth-place Hunter Campbell (Hamilton County). Second-team finishers, sixth through 10th place, were Keegan Nelson (Christopher), Keegan Smith (Wayne City), Gavin Withrow (Christopher), Michael Poe (Christopher), and Colin Sveda (Christopher).
FIRST TEAM — Rend Lake College Welding Professor Pete Wilce (FAR LEFT) is pictured with the 2022 RLC High School Welding Contest first-team. FROM LEFT are; Champion Kaleb Middendorf (Hamilton County), runner-up Remington Stevens (Hamilton County), third-place Xander Clark (Wayne City), fourth-place William Reese (Christopher), and fifth-place Hunter Campbell (Hamilton County). Six in-district high schools competed this year — Hamilton County, Wayne City, Christopher, Benton, Woodlawn and Mt. Vernon.
SECOND TEAM — FROM LEFT are; RLC Welding Professor Pete Wilce, sixth-place Keegan Nelson (Christopher), seventh-place Keegan Smith (Wayne City), eighth-place Gavin Withrow (Christopher), ninth-place Michael Poe (Christopher), and 10th place Colin Sveda (Christopher). Six in-district high schools competed this year — Hamilton County, Wayne City, Christopher, Benton, Woodlawn and Mt. Vernon.
Six in-district high schools competed this year — Hamilton County, Wayne City, Christopher, Benton, Woodlawn and Mt. Vernon. Some of the leaders received prizes from ILMO Welding Products Company and Sonny Hart, and Miller Electric Manufacturing Company and Greg Braun. Top finishers were given tuition awards to RLC's training program.
Middendorf poses with the RLC Welding Contest Traveling Plaque. His name will be added and the plaque will live at Hamilton County Senior High School until next year's contest.
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