Rumblings of judging/scoring errors?

[Jared]

I've heard through the grapevine that some errors were found after the rodeo involving the gas division. Anybody have more info?

Jared

[OVUS1]

I heard this as well as they have already contacted two of my employees that placed in the rodeo. It seems that the GAUPC is calling individuals that "won" and letting them know that their scoring software made some mistakes. We have been trying to get a straight answer but very little details coming from them yet.

I wish they had contacted the sponsors and the companies first instead of the individuals, as this is causing some major distractions in an industry that needs every ounce of focus to keep a damage from happening. I'll bet the manufacturers aren't too happy knowing they have already paid out matching winnings to those that used their equipment.....

[TheCableVine]

From their Facebook posting

August 7, 2009

Dear Rodeo Participants,

The International Utility Locate Rodeo would like publically thank Matthew West, of West Locating. Due to his vigilance and understanding of the Locate Rodeo rules and scoring process, Mr. West alerted us to a scoring issue that affected the outcome of several events and divisions in this year’s competition.

While we cannot replace the moment of announcement and recognition from the awards night, we will be awarding the winners their rightful prizes. For those who have been notified that their rankings have changed, they will not be asked to return any money or awards. It should be said that those whose rankings changed, particularly those who may have dropped in the rank, that they remained in the top 10. A performance each should be proud of.

The scoring issue has been identified and will be prevented in future competitions. We are very disappointed that this has occurred. We are extremely pleased to have someone like Matthew West checking and double checking his work. It is this kind of work ethic that makes damage prevention successful.

The following page contains a revised list of the 2009 International Utility Locate Rodeo.

For any questions regarding this matter please contact Rick Dunkerly at rdunkerly@gaupc.com.
Sincerely,

Claudette Campbell
Executive Director,
Utilities Protection Center, Inc.

2009 International Utility Locate Rodeo Division and Event Winners

Standing Current Winners REMC Sponsor Equipment Used
Gas 1st Place James Warren Radiodetection
Gas 2nd Place Matthew Sherwood Metrotech/Vivax
Gas 3rd Place Roger Bench
Gas Event 1 Alan Lopez Metrotech/Vivax
Gas Event 2 John Cook Radiodetection
Gas Event 3 Roger Bench

Power 1st Place Eric Godinez
Power 2nd Place Michael Carothers Radiodetection
Power 3rd place Robert Maney Radiodetection
Power Event 1 Eric Godinez
Power Event 2 Michael Carothers Radiodetection
Power Event 3 Chris Minnick Radiodetection

Telecom 1st Place David Brooks Radiodetection
Telecom 2nd Place Robbie Johnson Radiodetection
Telecom 3rd Place Giovanni Montoya Radiodetection
Telecom Event 1 Robbie Johnson Radiodetection
Telecom Event 2 John Flowers Radiodetection
Telecom Event 3 David Brooks Radiodetection

Water 1st Place Chad O’Quinn
Water 2nd Place Paul Donahue Metrotech/Vivax
Water 3rd Place Ken Evans Metrotech/Vivax
Water Event 1 Dave McCluskey Radiodetection
Water Event 2 Aaron Bellinger
Water Event 3 Chad O’Quinn

LFH 1st Place David Brooks Radiodetection
LFH 2nd Place Phil Randazzo Radiodetection
LFH 3rd Place Rudell Stitcher Metrotech/Vivax

[Jared]

Here is the announcement sent out via email.

August 7, 2009

Dear Rodeo Participants,

The International Utility Locate Rodeo would like publically thank Matthew West, of West Locating. Due to his vigilance and understanding of the Locate Rodeo rules and scoring process, Mr. West alerted us to a scoring issue that affected the outcome of several events and divisions in this year’s competition.

While we cannot replace the moment of announcement and recognition from the awards night, we will be awarding the winners their rightful prizes. For those who have been notified that their rankings have changed, they will not be asked to return any money or awards. It should be said that those whose rankings changed, particularly those who may have dropped in the rank, that they remained in the top 10. A performance each should be proud of.

The scoring issue has been identified and will be prevented in future competitions. We are very disappointed that this has occurred. We are extremely pleased to have someone like Matthew West checking and double checking his work. It is this kind of work ethic that makes damage prevention successful.

Below is a revised list of the 2009 International Utility Locate Rodeo.

For any questions regarding this matter please contact Rick Dunkerly at rdunkerly@gaupc.com.

Sincerely,
Claudette Campbell

Executive Director,
Utilities Protection Center, Inc.


2009 International Utility Locate Rodeo Division and Event Winners

Gas 1st Place - James Warren - Radiodetection
Gas 2nd Place - Matthew Sherwood - Metrotech/Vivax
Gas 3rd Place - Roger Bench -

Gas Event 1 - Alan Lopez - Metrotech/Vivax
Gas Event 2 - John Cook - Radiodetection
Gas Event 3 - Roger Bench

Power 1st Place - Eric Godinez
Power 2nd Place - Michael Carothers - Radiodetection
Power 3rd place - Robert Maney - Radiodetection

Power Event 1 - Eric Godinez
Power Event 2 - Michael Carothers - Radiodetection
Power Event 3 - Chris Minnick - Radiodetection

Telecom 1st Place - David Brooks - Radiodetection
Telecom 2nd Place - Robbie Johnson - Radiodetection
Telecom 3rd Place - Giovanni Montoya - Radiodetection

Telecom Event 1 - Robbie Johnson - Radiodetection
Telecom Event 2 - John Flowers - Radiodetection
Telecom Event 3 - David Brooks - Radiodetection

Water 1st Place - Chad O’Quinn
Water 2nd Place - Paul Donahue - Metrotech/Vivax
Water 3rd Place - Ken Evans - Metrotech/Vivax

Water Event 1 - Dave McCluskey - Radiodetection
Water Event 2 - Aaron Bellinger
Water Event 3 - Chad O’Quinn

LFH 1st Place - David Brooks - Radiodetection
LFH 2nd Place - Phil Randazzo - Radiodetection
LFH 3rd Place - Rudell Stitcher - Metrotech/Vivax

[Jared]

You beat me darnit. Curse these slow fingers.

[OVUS1]

One of our guys in Telecom division jumped up a spot but our lady in Water was knocked off the podium completely. She took it all in stride, saying she is coming to kick much butt next year! Ms. Bohnet, my hat is off to you ma'am...

Sorry to see you get bumped from the top spot in the LFH Randazzo - it was killer hanging out with you and those two knuckleheads you had with you at Casino Night!

Hey, I hope everybody that came and experienced it as well as competed walked away with a smile this year - I know I did......

[BabyGirl]

Well thank you very much for the that comment! I am gonna win next year... so all y'all out there who are thinking of competing next year, go ahead and save your $ and stay home... I got this!! haha
It does suck that they messed up the scoring (in all divisions), at least they let us keep the $.
I had soooooo much fun, and look forward to seeing you (and beating you) next year! lol