Iowa Lakes students find success at State and National SkillsUSA competitions, Jonathan Tomsche receives 1st in the Nation for Marine Service Technology

(Emmetsburg, Iowa) Iowa Lakes Community College students receive state and national recognition during SkillsUSA competitions.

Students from the Auto Collision and Paint Repair Technology, Automotive Technology, Construction Technology, Farm Equipment and Diesel Technology, Powersports and Power Equipment Technology, Boat and Watercraft Technician, Welding Technology, Electrical Technology and Digital, Social & Radio Broadcast Productions programs offered through Algona High School, competed at the state level with hopes of securing a spot in the National SkillsUSA competition held in Louisville, Kentucky.

The following students earned a 1st place ranking during the state competitions: Cameron Leininger, Electrical Construction Wiring, Drew Brekke, Thomas Kotewa, Hunter McAllister, and Phillip Minker in the Teamworks category, Jonathan Tomsche, Marine Service Technology, Chase Cole, Motorcycle Service Technology, Hunter Huschik, Power Equipment Technology, William Hanselman and AnnaLisa Wolf, TV-Video Production. These students were awarded the opportunity to compete at the national level.

“The SkillsUSA competition was a much larger competition than I anticipated it to be. It had many competitors. Each station challenged my knowledge of the marine industry,” said Jonathan Tomsche about the competition.

The following students received 2nd place ranking: Caden Berte, Power Equipment Technology, Chase Schilling, Marine Service Technology, Clint Nekola, Motorcycle Service Technology, Brian Ziesman Power Equipment Technology, and Morgen Overman Welding Sculpture. Additionally, three students placed 3rd in the state competitions: Jacob Haag, Automotive Refinishing Technology, Jackson Greenhaw, Marine Service Technology and Jared Halvorson, Welding.

During the National SkillsUSA competitions, Jonathan Tomsche received a gold medal by placing 1st in the Nation for Marine Service Technology.

“I could not have excelled in this competition without Iowa Lakes Community College and their outstanding Boat and Water Craft Technician instructor, Rick Brichta, along with industry support from Yamaha, Mercury and Volvo Penta. They all provided me the skills and knowledge to bring home the gold!” said Tomsche. “I would like to thank Yamaha Marine Training Department Managers, Gregg Snyder and William Randall, for supporting the college and the SkillsUSA competition. I received many gifts from Yamaha and they also gave the college a brand new F115 Yamaha Outboard for winning. Placing first at the competition has launched my career in the marine industry. I have already been offered several jobs after I finish at Iowa Lakes.”

Several other students ranked within the top-ten nationally and included: Construction Technology students Drew Brekke, Thomas Kotewa, Hunter McAllister, and Phillip Minker  who placed 8th in the Teamworks category; Powersports and Power Equipment students Chase Cole with a 7th place finish for Motorcycle Service Technology and Hunter Huschik in the Power Equipment Technology Category who placed 8th nationally.

SkillsUSA
The SkillsUSA competitions are competitive events showcasing the best career and technical education students in the nation. Contests begin locally and continue through the state and national levels.

For More Information:

Iowa Lakes Marketing office at 712-362-7947