Pike Central welding students participating in the Patoka Valley Vocational Cooperative Welding Technology Program brought home a Second Place Team trophy and 4 individual trophies on May 3, 2024, from the 43rd Annual Midwest Team Welding Tournament held at J. Everett Light Career Center.
The team placed second out of sixteen teams. Placing first in the Theory category was Pike Central Senior Lucas Taylor. Placing third in the S.M.A.W. category was Pike Central Senior Griffin Correll. Placing fourth in the G.T.A.W. category was Pike Central Senior Nathan Snyder. Placing fourth in the F.C.A.W. category was Forest Park Senior Sam Kluesner. Also participating for the team was Forest Park Senior Kristopher Fuhrman in the G.M.A.W. category.
Each team participating in the tournament is comprised of five members. One member of the team competes in a theory category of the contest, which includes a 200 question written test in welding knowledge, math and blueprint reading. The other members of the team participate in one of four welding processes, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (G.T.A.W.), Gas Metal Arc Welding (G.M.A.W.), Shielded Metal Arc Welding (S.M.A.W.), and Flux Core Arc Welding (F.C.A.W.) that are subjected to a guided bend test along with a second weldment from a blueprint. The members' individual scores are combined for the team score.
All students received welding-related door prizes.