The team of Braden Weder (Tuscola Operating Center), Jakob Weder (Danville Operating Center) and Matt DeWitt (Beardstown Operating Center) placed seventh in the pole climb. Photo submitted by Ameren
For Release
Ameren Illinois teams finish in Top 10 at International Lineman’s Rodeo
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (Oct. 21, 2026) – Ameren Illinois had a strong showing at the 42nd International Lineman’s Rodeo with two apprentices and three journeyman teams bringing home bragging rights from this year’s event in Overland Park, Kansas.
Apprentice line worker Caleb Brune (Centralia Operating Center) finished sixth overall among 143 competitors in the investor-owned utility division. His best individual event was the pole climb event where he finished 12th overall. Fellow apprentice Thomas Gettings (Decatur Operating Center) had two top 10 finishes in individual events – 5th in the pole climb and 7th in the second mystery event.
In the journeyman team competition, Brian Courtwright (Decatur Operating Center), Clayton Gulley (Marion Operating Center) and Austin Lewis (Marion Operating Center) finished fifth overall in the investor-owned utility division among 117 teams. The team’s best event was placing 17th in the pole climb.
The team of Braden Weder (Tuscola Operating Center), Jakob Weder (Danville Operating Center) and Matt DeWitt (Beardstown Operating Center) placed seventh in the pole climb, while the team of Blake Mette (Mattoon Operating Center, Austin Weber (Mattoon Operating Center), and Clint Dasenbrock (Effingham Operating Center) placed ninth in the pole climb.
“Finishing among the top competitors at the International Lineman’s Rodeo is an impressive accomplishment,” said Jason Klein, vice president of Electric Operations for Ameren Illinois. “Congratulations to our top 10 finishers and to everyone who represented Ameren Illinois. Their performance reflects the skill, training and focus on safety they bring to the job every day.”
In addition to the competition, Paul Koehler (LaSalle Operating Center) and other line workers once again led an effort to use the competition to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The annual Climbin’ for Kids campaign raised $96,000 for St. Jude’s and its affiliate in Peoria, Illinois—the Jim and Trudy Maloof St. Jude Affiliate Clinic—advancing research, patient care, and family support in the fight against childhood cancer. More than $500,000 has been raised since Climbin’ for Kids started in 2021.
“Climbin’ for Kids is a great example of the generosity and sense of community that exists among line workers,” said Luke Wollin, senior vice president of Operations and Technical Services for Ameren Illinois. “We’re proud that our teams can be part of an event that not only celebrates their profession, but also supports the children and families served by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”
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