BELOIT — North Central Kansas Technical College (NCK Tech) hosted the 10th annual Gas Metal Arc Welding Competition on March 6 on the Beloit campus. Students from NCK Tech, Beloit and Hays campuses, Salina Area Technical College, Central Community College of Hastings (Neb.), Manhattan Area Technical College and Hutchinson Community College participated in the event.

During the contest, students tested their technical knowledge with a GMAW written test and used their blueprint reading skills to fabricate various weldments and showcase their ability to weld in all positions using the GMAW process. The contest blueprints were developed by Nathan Lund and James Greenwood of AG-CO/Sunflower-Beloit and presented to the students the day of the competition to ensure a fair and equitable contest. The written test was developed by Wes Mosier of Deshler, Neb. Weld inspection was conducted by Certified Welding Inspectors James Greenwood, Wes Mosier, Danny Fuller and Chuck Hatzenbueler.

Event sponsors and donations included: Lincoln Electric and Miller Electric (welding machines); ESAB Electric (wire); Caterpillar Tool Works of Wamego, AG-CO/Sunflower and Bohnert Welding (metal).  Landoll Manufacturing provided lunch for the contestants and prizes were donated by Matheson/Linweld of Hastings, NE, Lincoln Electric, ESAB Electric, AG-CO/Sunflower of Beloit, Winkel Manufacturing- Glen Elder, Kohler Manufacturing- Beloit, and Webber Gross Welding.

NCK Tech students took top honors in the contest, securing eight of the Top 10 scores. NCK Tech students, hometowns and placement included: No.  1- Curtiss Anderson (Glen Elder); No. 2 – Kyle Bogart (Concordia); No.  3- Isaac Dreiling (Victoria);  No.  4- Wade Buck (Hays); No. 6- Lane Smith (Hays); No. 7- Zeph Larney (Gas) ; No. 9- Clayton Beckman (Hill City); No.  10- Joel Hayes (Rose Hill) and
No.  11-Jacob Arnold (Bennington).

Questions? Please contact: Mari Tucker, Marketing/Foundation Director, [email protected]; 785-738-9051