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Skinner, Foster return to podium at District 5 equipment roadeo

A record number of participants competed in District 5’s equipment roadeo May 18. As a result, some different faces ascended to the podium — different, but not unknown.

Justin Skinner and Troy Foster finished first and second in the Transportation Technician category, returning to winning form years after their last victories in the event. Skinner won in 2005 and 2007, and Foster last won in 2002.

The event in Pocatello was the first district roadeo event of the season, to be followed in short order by the other districts.

“The event was intensely competitive, as shown by the fact that some established stars, guys who’ve gone on to Colorado for the regionals in the past, were pushed down the list this year and were unable to finish at the top of the leaderboard,” said District Engineer Ed Bala.

“The most important part of the event is that our operators get to interact with each other and share best practices as they demonstrate the skills that translate into better service for the general driving public,” he added.

Here are the top finishers for District 5 – The top three in the TTO Division and the top finisher in the Foreman Division all advance to the statewide competition June 14 in Idaho Falls.

TTO DIVISION
1.    Justin Skinner, Montpelier maintenance (2005 & 2007 D5 winner)
2.    Troy Foster, Preston maintenance (2002 D5 winner)
3.    Dan Daniels, Malad maintenance (2011 D5 winner)
4.    Bruce Dial, Pocatello maintenance (2010, 2012 & 2013 D5 winner)
5.   Matt Beckstead, Preston maintenance (2014 D5 winner & 2015 statewide champ)

FOREMAN DIVISION
1. Randy Richards, Blackfoot maintenance foreman (2010 & 2014 D5 winner)

Only 13 points separated Beckstead from Dial, 15 points separated Dial from Daniels, and only five more separated Daniels from Foster.

Pictured above, l to r: Skinner, Foster, Daniels, Richards.