High school students from around Oregon are invited to compete in a welding competition at Linn-Benton Community College as part of the Willamette Valley Ag Expo’s Youth Ag Day on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. All students participating in the contest will return to the expo for a presentation on agricultural careers and enjoy a celebratory pizza lunch, courtesy of the Ag Expo.

Registration for the 2024 competition has closed

The welding competition has three separate categories: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW). Schools are limited to a maximum of 8 contestants, 4 per category:

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) – limit 4 contestants
• Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) – limit 4 contestants

Shielded Metal Arc Welding is a series of welds utilizing industry standard maintenance rod including 7018 and 6011(6010). Machines vary in brands and are set to zero prior to the start of all competitors’ usage. The competition incorporates precut material and several welds including but not limited to Butt Welds, Fillet Welds, and Lap Welds. Contestants have 30 minutes to assemble and weld out their product. Judging is based on correct assembly of parts and overall weld appearance.

Gas Metal Arc Welding is a series of welds utilizing .035 70s-6 welding wire with 75% Ar/25%C02 cover gas. Students compete with a Millermatic 252 that is set to zero prior to the start of all competitors’ usage except for cover gas. The competition incorporates precut material and several welds including but not limited to Butt Welds, Fillet Welds, and Lap Welds. Contestants have 30 minutes to assemble and weld out their product. Judging is based on correct assembly of parts and overall weld appearance.

This competition will be held at LBCC (6500 Pacific Blvd SW, Albany). Check-in time is at 8:30am at LBCC. Pizza and career presentations to follow at the Willamette Valley Ag Expo, held at the Linn County Expo Center (3700 Knox Butte Rd, Albany), at 1:00pm.

Registration for the 2024 Welding competition has closed.

Welding Competition sponsored by

Overall Point Champions 2024: Eagle Point High

Individual Winners

Shielded Metal Arc Welding

• First – Ryln Haskins, Eagle Point High
• Second – Wyatt Weycker, Eagle Point High
• Third – Zach Bolf, Eagle Point High
• Fourth – Carter Lanz, Silverton High
• Fifth – Talyn Dettwyler, Silverton High

Gas Metal Arc Welding

• First – Oscar Huerta, Madras High
• Second – Bentley Stockton, Madras High
• Third – Logan Farnham, Eagle Point High
• Fourth – Payton O’Connor, Madras High
• Fifth – Trenton Backman, Coquille Jr/Sr High

Thank you to everyone that competed!