Three Ridgewater welders place at annual Behind the Mask event
March 6, 2020
HUTCHINSON and WILLMAR, MN – Amidst record-breaking participation, Ridgewater College Welding students took home three medal honors in the annual Behind the Mask collegiate and industry welding competition on February 27 at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount.
About 30 Ridgewater College students from both Hutchinson and Willmar campuses were among the 350-plus competitors from across the state competing in various welding skills tests, including shielded stick welding, tungsten, and gas metal welding.
Anthony Kosek of Hutchinson brought home championship bragging rights in the Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) MIG division, along with second-place honors in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) TIG. Kosek also won a MIG welding machine in a side competition hosted by Lincoln Electric.
“This year was the largest turnout for Behind the Mask,” said John Travis, Ridgewater College instructor, Hutchinson campus, “and with the competition close to the metro area, there was definitely tough competition.”
A three-judge panel reviewed nearly 340 welding and cutting tests in the popular event sponsored by the American Welding Society Northwest Section. During each division, competitors had 25 minutes to take a project from print plan to 3-D reality.
“I tell my students to think of the competition as a ‘practice’ job interview,” said Cody Sarsland, Ridgewater Welding instructor, Willmar Campus. “The student needs to be prepared to perform any task with limited information prior to the competition. Placing first, second or third in this competition is a high achievement, proving the ability to perform under time constraints and stress.”
“Our students did very well showcasing their skills in a new, foreign environment,” Travis added. This competition prepares welders for SkillsUSA competition in April. “It was nice to see Ridgewater alumni attend and compete very well against other industry professionals also.” Ridgewater alumni Cody Mjoness of Annandale and Aaron Klaers of Maple Plain both placed in the professional division.
2020 Ridgewater Student Placing Results
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) MIG welding
First place: Anthony Kosek (Hutchinson)
Third place: Logan Forsberg (Darwin)
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Stick welding
Second: Anthony Cron (Darwin)
Third: Forsberg
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) TIG welding
Second: Kosek
2020 Industry Ridgewater Alumni Placing Results
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Stick welding
First: Cody Mjoness (Annandale)
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) TIG welding
Second: Aaron Klaers (Maple Plain)
Participating colleges included: Ridgewater College – Hutchinson and Willmar, Dakota County Technical College, Central Lakes College – Brainerd, Dunwoody College of Technology, Alexandria Technical and Community College, and Anoka Technical College.
Award winners earned cash prizes of $150 for first place, $125 for second, and $100 for third.
For information about the Ridgewater Welding program, go to www.ridgewater.edu/welding.