March 2, 2022 – Dunwoody College of Technology; Minneapolis, MN
The 2022 Behind the Mask Welding competition was back in full swing in the Northwest Section. The event took place at Dunwoody College of Technology. There were 201 competitors registered for the event 9 of whom were professionals and the others were all students high school and college level. The contests were OFC, GTAW, SMAW, and GMAW. There were 9 schools who competed in the event; Anoka Technical College, Dakota County Technical College, Dunwoody College of Technology, Mesabi Range College, Ridgewater College – Hutchinson Campus, Roosevelt High School, St. Cloud Technical & Community College, Wright Technical Center, Minneapolis Community and Technical College.
Over 45 companies donated Materials for the competitions and prizes for a raffle – totaling over $20,000. Awards were as follows:
OFC:
1st: Duncan Meyer – Anoka Technical College ($150)
2nd: John Gosswiller – Ridgewater College – Hutchinson ($125)
3rd: Ciaran McGraw – Ridgewater College – Hutchinson ($100)
GTAW:
1st: Nathan Pierce – Dakota County Technical College ($150) & 3M Auto-Dark Helmet
2nd: Ethan Wilkin – Dunwoody College of Technology ($125)
3rd: Simon Barton – Dunwoody College of Technology ($100)
SMAW:
1st: Duncan Meyer – Anoka Technical College ($150) & 3M Auto-Dark Helmet
1st Professional: Cody Mjoness – Wright Technical Center ($150)
2nd: Nathan Pierce – Dakota County Technical College ($125)
3rd: Brodie Carron – Dunwoody College of Technology ($100)
GMAW:
1st: Cody Sievert – Ridgewater College – Hutchinson ($150) & 3M Auto-Dark Helmet
1st: Professional: Jason Eastling – Ridgewater College – Hutchinson ($150)
2nd: Jack Enberg – Anoka Technical College ($125)
3rd: Sam Hershley – Ridgewater College – Hutchinson ($100)
ESAB Machine Give-Away Winner:
John Travis – Ridgewater College – Hutchinson
Fronius Machine Give-Away Winner: Duncan Meyer – Anoka Technical College
It was a great event with spirited competition with the proceeds going to scholarships within our district.
We would like to thank these companies for their generous donations for this event:
3M, Abicor-Binzel, Advantage Marketing, Aerospace Welding Inc., Airgas (A RADNOR Company), Anoka Technical College, Black Stallion Industries, Central McGowen, CK Worldwide, D.W. Davies, Diamond Ground Products, Drill America, Dunwoody, ESAB, Exocor, Fronius, Hobart Brothers, Honeywell, Hypertherm, JPW Industries, Kobelco Welding of America, Lincoln Electric, Metabo, Midalloy, Miller Electric, Minneapolis Oxygen, Mississippi Welders Supply, MK Products, NorthPro, Optrel, ORS Nasco, Oxygen Service Company, Phoenix International, Pyramex, Saf-T-Cart, SFE Group (Mathey Dearman), South St. Paul Steel, Strong Hand Tools, SureWerx (Jackson Safety/Sellstrom), Tec Welding Products, Tillman, Toll Gas & Welding Supply, Walter/Arc1, Washington Alloy, Weld Safe Midwest, Welding Material Sales (#WELDPORN), Wire Wizard, American Welding Society.
Student Winners All Categories OFC, GTAW, SMAW GMAW