SWCC students headed to 2019 National SkillsUSA Championships

Ten Southwestern Community College (SWCC) career and technical education students qualified for the National SkillsUSA Championships following state competition at Iowa SkillsUSA competition on Friday, April 26, 2019.

A first place division win qualifies the student for the national competition, which will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, from June 24-28, 2019. SWCC’s first place winners included the following students:

  • Sergio Sandoval of Osceola, Clarke High School senior and SWCC auto collision repair/refinish student, automotive refinishing technology (secondary division)
  • Noah Denney of Osceola, Clarke High School senior and SWCC automotive repair technology student, automotive technology (secondary division)
  • Riley Smith of Osceola, Clarke High School junior and SWCC auto collision repair/refinish student, collision repair technology (secondary division)
  • Lane Craven of Gilman, SWCC auto collision repair/refinish student, collision repair technology (post-secondary division)
  • Cory Marquardt of Creston, SWCC electrical technology student, electrical construction wiring (post-secondary division)
  • Team of welding students Greg Moore of Clarinda; Lance Thompson of St. Charles; and Clayton Pattavina of Clarinda, welding fabrication (post-secondary division)
  • Makayla Flora of Adel, SWCC welding technology student, welding sculpture (post-secondary division)
  • Hayden Bayles of Prescott, SWCC welding technology student, welding (post-secondary division)

Other state winners from SWCC included:

  • Michael Lauer of Corning, SWCC auto collision repair/refinish student, third place, automotive refinishing technology (post-secondary division)
  • Brody Grandfield of Afton, East Union High School senior and SWCC automotive repair technology student, second place, automotive technology (secondary division)
  • Levi Parrott of Afton, SWCC carpentry and building trades student, second place, carpentry (post-secondary division)
  • Isaiah Jones of Basehor, Kansas, SWCC carpentry and building trades student, third place, carpentry (post-secondary division)

Each April, Iowa SkillsUSA chapters gather in central Iowa to compete in more than 70 career and technical-related divisions. The top three place winners are recognized. The top place winner qualifies for the national contest which features opportunities to compete against students from all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico and The U.S. Virgin Islands.