Joliet West High School students take home top ranks at JJC welding competition

JOLIET – Joliet West High School STEM Academy students took home top ranks at the 2016 High School Welding Competition held at Joliet Junior College.

West student Steve Koerner received first place, Matt Meinhart received fourth and Anthony Rodden received fifth out of over 50 students participating in two divisions, high school and career center.

Competing students were judged based on written tests and three SMAW skills: undercut, weld size, and uniformity. Welds were completed within a 30 minute time requirement.

The competition allowed students to showcase their skills in two main processes, Shielded Metal Arc Welding and Oxy Acetylene Welding, through written and knowledge-based test and a performance test on Oxy Acetylene and Arc Welding.