School of Design and Manufacturing
NEC 211
919 Campus Drive
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 591-2640
(231) 591-2511
Ferris State Secondary Welding Competition
Open to any school in Michigan!
Friday, May 3, 2024
The 20th Secondary Welding Competition is scheduled for Friday, May 3, 2024.
This year's welding competition promises to be bigger and better than ever with our newly renovated welding labs and classrooms!
Registration for this event will be online only. No paper registration forms will be accepted and all school registrations must be paid at the time of registration via credit/debit card.
Previous Winners
Every year the secondary schools have less funding to provide extracurricular opportunities for their students. We are pleased that teachers from 35 schools chose to bring 155 students to the Ferris State campus to compete among their peers in our event. The teachers were also treated to a professional technical seminar geared towards: “Welding With FANUC Collaborative Robots” presented by Cory Kowalski of FANUC America and Zack Miller of Lincoln Electric. All competitors and instructors departed Ferris very happy with a portion of more than $70,000.00 in donated awards, prizes, and welding products, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.
2023 State Secondary Welding Competition Winners
Hosted by Ferris State University Welding Engineering Technology Program May 5, 2023
2023 Combined Welding Winners
- Honorable Mention – Riley Foss – Montcalm Area Career Center
- 3rd – Mikala Sposito – Saline High School/SWWC
- 2nd – Ryan Marks – Oakland Schools Tech NE
- 1st – Evan Fron – Flat Rock High School
- Instructor: Terrence Wegienka – Flat Rock High School
2023 Oxy Fuel Welding Winners
- Instructor: Blake Ballou – Saline High School/SWWC
- 1st – Elliott Bell – Saline High School/SWWC
- 2nd – Andrew Bryant – Flat Rock High School
- 3rd – Landon Payne – Northwest Ed. Career Tech
- Honorable Mention – Ryan Marshall– Taylor Career & Tech Ctr
2023 Gas Metal Arc Welding Winners
- Instructor: Mike Schmidt – Mecosta-Osceola CC
- 1st – Cameron Bartlett – Mecosta-Osceola CC
- Honorable Mention – Charles Roeser – Northwest Ed. Career Tech
- 3rd – Cullen Ellis – Saline High School/SWWC
- 2nd – Macario Kalcec– Dickinson-Iron Tech Center
2023 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Winners
- Instructor: Blake Ballou – Saline High School/SWWC
- 1st – Ellis Meloche – Saline High School/SWWC
- 3rd – Chase Balcom – Oakland Schools Tech NE
- Honorable Mention – Connor Babcock – Mecosta-Osceola Career Ctr
- 2nd – Isaac Shaw – Montcalm Area Career Center
2023 Shielded Metal Arc Welding Winners
- Instructor: Terrence Wegienka – Flat Rock High School
- 1st – Caleb Cialkowski – Flat Rock High School
- 2nd – Jason Angerer – Monroe High School
- 3rd – Brandon Collrin – Stevenson High School
- Honorable Mention – Luke Eagle – Sault Area High School/CC
Every year the secondary schools have less funding to provide extracurricular opportunities for their students. We are pleased that teachers from 30 schools chose to bring 120 students to the Ferris State campus to compete among their peers in our event. The teachers were also treated to a professional technical seminar geared towards: “What’s Your Welding Challenge?” presented by Cinnamon Digan, Brett Smith and Justin Smith of Fronius USA. All competitors and instructors departed Ferris very happy with a portion of more than $88,000.00 in donated awards, prizes, and welding products, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.
2022 State Secondary Welding Competition Winners
Combined Welding
Left to Right
- 1st – Will Leisenring – Eaton RESA Career Prep Ctr
- Honorable Mention – Benjamin Hull – Northwest Ed Career Tech
- 3rd – Johnny Altomare – Lapeer ISD
- 2nd – Ellis Meloche – S&W Washtenaw Consortium
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
Left to Right
- 3rd – Mitchell Gillean – Monroe High School
- 1st – Kayli Nguyen – Stevenson High School
- Honorable Mention – Noah Flynn – Kent Career Technical Center
- 2nd – Justin Acker – Mecosta-Osceola Career Center
Gas Metal Arc Welding
Left to Right
- Honorable Mention – Cullen Ellis – S&W Washtenaw Consortium
- 3rd – Dustin Shidler – Branch Area Careers Center
- 2nd – John Scott – Wilson Talent Center
- 1st – Colt Glasheen – Dickinson-Iron Tech Center
Oxy Fuel Welding
Left to Right
- Honorable Mention – Gabriella Buerkel – Saginaw Career Complex
- 3rd – Wesley Melitz – Stevenson High School
- 2nd – Carter Shepard – Northwest Ed Career Tech
- 1st – Brian McKeehan – S&W Washtenaw Consortium
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
Left to Right
- Honorable Mention – Weson Friend – Branch Area Careers Center
- 3rd – Eli Whittkopf – Dickinson-Iron Tech Center
- 2nd - Ben Hernandez – Kent Career Technical Center
- 1st – Alex Sorsen – Montcalm Area Career Center
The Ferris State “State Secondary Welding Competition” was held with competitors completing their weldments at their home school and shipping them to Ferris for judging. A total of thirteen (13) schools and forty-six (46) students competed! A great success!
The competition category place finishers are below:
Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Jane McCallister - Dickinson-Irons
- Craig Tappenden - Branch Area
- Jack Cooley - Mecosta-Osceola
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Isaac Gothberg - Calhoun
- Camden Nei - Bay-Arenac
- Parker Noble - Traverse Bay Area ISD
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Avery Beaumont - Lapeer ISD
- Neven Close - Kent CTC
- Vincent Bor - Calhoun
Oxy-Fuel Welding
- Bevan Arnott - Traverse Bay Area ISD
- Brandon Stephens - Mecosta-Osceola
- John Folsom - Bay-Arenac
Combined Welding
- Wyatt Force - Branch Area
- Robert McKeever - Calhoun
- Jurgen Kleiman - Dickinson Irons
The 2018 competition was cancelled due to building renovations.
Combined Welding
- Pat O’Rourke–Flat Rock High School
- Justin Jaber–COOR ISD
- Kody Gordan–Bay Arenac Skill Center
- Kevin Seinko–William D. Ford CTC
Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Brad Bristle–Washtenaw Consortium S&W
- Nate Swartout–Dickinson-Irons Tech Center
- Bryce Bassage–Branch Area Career Center
- Ed Stock–Flat Rock High School
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Ryan Deau–Dickinson-Irons Tech Center
- Nicolas Myszah–EISD Career Prep Center
- Tim Benninger–Oakland Tech Center NE
- Rivver Gizowski–Washtenaw Consortium S&W
Oxy Fuel Welding
- John Dolencic–Flat Rock High School
- Nathen Witt–Oakland Technical Center NE
- Stephen Williams–St. Clair TEC
- Jake Plachta–Bay Arenac Career Center
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Justin Goretski–Flat Rock High School
- Daimian Klein –St. Johns High School
- Joseph Fox–William D. Ford CTC
- Zach Jablonski–Bay Arenac Skill Center
Combined Welding
- Ian Schwenke - Washtenaw Consortium S&W
- Marc Tallieu - Lapeer County Ed Tech Center
- Garrett Wojcik - Bay Arenac Career Center
- James Bedzyk - William D. Ford CTC
Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Garrett Lindgren - Cheboygan High School
- Alex Morneau - Mecosta-Osceola CC
- Lucas Janquet - Dickinson-Irons Tech Center
- Brad Bristle - Washtenaw Consortium S&W
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Antonio Lewis - Eisenhower High School
- Austin Conger - Bay Arenac Career Center
- Jason Koths - Flat Rock High School
- Brenden Steinhauer - Muskegon Area CC
Oxy Fuel Welding
- Chance Bunker - Cheboygan High School
- Katy Crabtree - Capital Area Career Center
- Brenna Williams - Flat Rock High School
- Zach Jaulonski - Bay Arenac Career Center
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Anthony Ribera - Dickinson-Irons Tech Center
- Justin Gorestski - Flat Rock High School
- Josh Hamilton - Mecosta-Osceola Career Center
- Daniel Nash - Cheboygan High School
Combined Welding
- Paul McCullough–Washtenaw Cons S&W
- Montana Heiss –Flat Rock High School
- Michael Alderman–William D. Ford CTC
- Trevor Bowen – St. Clair TEC
Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Stone Rossato – Dickinson Irons Tech Ctr
- Maverick Steffes – Mecosta-Osceola CC
- Garrett Lindgren – Cheboygan Area HS
- Alex Dueweke – St. Clair TEC
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Matt Kujala – Dickinson Irons Tech Center
- Gavin Matthews – Bay Arenac Skill Center
- Jesse Sester –Oakland Tech Center NE
- Curtis June – EISD Career Prep Center
Oxy Fuel Welding
- Maggie McCarren – Washtenaw Consortium S&W
- Alex Kennedy – Sault Area Career Center
- Andrew Currie – St. Clair TEC
- Terry Riege – Calhoun Area Tech Center
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Chyene Wiescholek – Calhoun Area Tech Center
- Kolton Dunham – Montcalm Area Career Center
- Anthony Rebera– Dickinson-Irons Tech Center
- Alex Marcath – St. Clair TEC
Combined Welding
- Jeff Cejmer – Stevenson High School
- Clark Pearson – Lapeer County ETC
- Nick Baril – Dickinson Irons Tech Ctr
- Justin Tenbusch – Midland High School
Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Kyle Carico – COOR ISD
- Paul McCullough – Washtenaw Consortium
- Lucas Moser – Capital Area Career Center
- Travis Brege – Cheboygan Area High School
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Michael Tovias – Van Buren Tech Center
- Justin Compagnari – Oakland Tech Ctr NE
- Cameron Boyd – TBA ISD Career Tech Ctr
- Matt Kujala – Dickinson Irons Tech Ctr
Oxy Fuel Welding
- William Zeeman – St. Clair TEC
- Hope Ervin – COOR ISD
- Nate Cornell – Calhoun Area Tech Center
- Shayne O’Rourke – William D. Ford Career Tech Ctr
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Codylee Turrell – Lapeer County Ed Tech Ctr
- Cody Zalucha – Bay Arenac Skill Center
- Randle Reed – Capital Area Career Center
- Raymond Wisniewski – St. Clair TEC
Combined Welding
- Kyle Durussel – Bay-Arenac Skill Ctr
- Austin Smafield – St. Clair TEC
- Wyatt Holsworth – WD Ford CTC
- Brody Depa – Lapeer County ETC
Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Lindsey Osburn – Mecosta-Osceola CC
- Collin Barron – Flat Rock High School
- Michael Jensen – EISD Career Prep Ctr
- John Hintze – St. Clair TEC
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Levi Schulert – Oakland Tech Ctr NE
- Kyle Vogel – Newaygo County Tech Ctr
- Ty Hess – Coloma High School
- Josh Hess – Lakeshore High School
Oxy Fuel Welding
- August Schmiedeknecht – EISD Career Prep Ctr
- Paul Wrubel – Utica Schools
- Doug Holmes – Flat Rock High School
- Brendon Crawford – Newaygo County Tech
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Dylan Gorham – Calhoun Area Tech Ctr
- Logan Hammer – Mecosta-Osceola CC
- Brad Thompson – St. Clair TEC
- Jeff Cejmer – Utica Schools
Combined Welding
- Anthony Pop – Washtenaw Consortium South & West
- Sean Benvin– William D. Ford Career Technical Center
- Austin Smafield – Saint Clair Tech
- Justin Parker – Mecosta-Osceola CC
Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Brock Rose – Dickinson-Irons Tech Center
- Matt Vandyk – Lapeer County Ed-Tech Center
- Will Williams – Calhoun Area Tech Center
- Tyler Connelly – Oakland Tech Center NE
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Sebastian Allee – Lakeshore High School
- Noah Leach – Allegan County Area Tech & Ed Center
- Ryan O’Neill – Calhoun Area Tech Center
- Chris Middleton – Bay-Arenac Skill Center
Oxy Fuel Welding
- Richard Engelhart – Calhoun Area Tech Center
- Benjamin Barker – Lapeer County Ed-Tech Center
- Doug Holmes – Flat Rock High School
- Colette Franklin – Oakland Technical Center NE
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Nick Hammer – Flat Rock High School
- Dan Dueweke – Saint Clair TEC
- Andy Seaman – Mecosta-Osceola Career Center
- Cody Clare – Alma High School
Combined Welding
- Zach Erndt - Bay Arenac Skill Center
- Kane Foster – William D. Ford Career Technical Center
- Adam Pfeiffer – Lapeer County Ed-Tech Center
- Richie Grams – Flat Rock High School
Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Sean Benvin - William D. Ford Career Technical Center
- Tim Peterson – Lapeer County Ed-Tech Ctr
- Anthony Cudnohufsky – Dickinson-Irons Tech Center
- Matt Brandt – Cheboygan Area High School
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Sam Shaw – Capital Area Career Center
- Cody Hoffman – St. Clair TEC
- Jacob Trulock – Dickinson-Irons Tech Center
- Nick Mergaert – Stevenson High School
Oxy Fuel Welding
- Alex Cudnohufsky – Dickinson Irons Technical Center
- Justin Parker – Mecosta-Osceola Career Center
- Cody Schaffier – William D. Ford Career Technical Center
- Krysta Verschure – St. Clair Tech Center
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Justin Gildner – Cheboygan Area High School
- Tyler Pirlot – Dickinson-Irons Tech Center
- Dustin Wernette – Mecosta-Osceola Career Center
- Daniel Ruiz – Newaygo County Tech Center
Combined Welding
- Devin Hubner - Bay Arenac Skill Center
- Kyle Ash - Muskegon Area Career Tech Center
- Chris Swirderski- St. Clair Tech Center
- Bram Ritsman - Capital Area Career Center
Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Jordan Terrill - St. Johns Public High School
- Matt Brandt – Cheboygan Area Career Center
- Sean Forrest - Lapeer County Ed-Tech Center
- Brendan McKenna – Alma High School
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Drew Holland - Oakland Technical Ctr SW
- Josh Anstey – Lakeshore High School
- Shane Clark – William D. Ford Career Technical Center
- Thomas Lanzetta – Oakland Tech Ctr NE
Oxy Fuel Welding
- Brad Bilk – Flat Rock High School
- Ryan Hancock – Oakland Technical Ctr SW
- Jacob Droptiny – Bay Arenac Skill Center
- Leroy Morey – Capital Area Career Center
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Alex Cudnohufsky – Dickinson Irons Technical Center
- Adam Wasielewski – Oakland Technical Center SW
- Brad Williamson – Saint Clair Technical Center
- Kaleb Parsch – Lapeer County Ed-Tech Center
Combined Welding
- Zachary Rulapaugh – Alma High School
- James Souter – Newaygo Area CTC
- Anthony Zarnick - Oakland Tech. Ctr. SW
- Jordan Kosinski – Tuscola Tech. Ctr.
Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Darren Nichols – Mecosta-Osceola Career Ctr
- Luke Gemalsky - Capital Area Career Ctr.
- Ryan Odette - Dickinson-Irons Tech Ctr.
- Nathan Fuller – Stevenson High School
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Paul Van Gamper – Oakland Tech Ctr. NE
- Steven Muellar – Flat Rock High School
- Drew Wagonschutz - TBA Career Tech Ctr
- Brad Roberts - Oakland Tech. Ctr. SW
Oxy Fuel Welding
- Glenn Dellinger – St. Clair TEC
- Matthew Park – TBA Career Tech. Ctr
- Justin Lail – Cheboygan High School
- Nate Kurth – St. Johns High School
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Zeke Allen – Capital Area Career Ctr
- Chris Swiderski – St. Clair TEC
- Jordan Blankenbaker – Flat Rock High School
- Robert Nault – Dickinson-Irons Tech. Ctr
Combined Welding
- David Woller, Dickinson-Irons Tech. Ctr.
- Adam Boyer, Bay Arenac Skill Ctr.
- Andrew Weeks, Lapeer County Educ. TC
- Marvin Hutchison, William D. Ford CTC
Gas Metal Arc Welding
- Vinnie Robinson, Oakland Tech. Ctr. SW
- Cody Ishman, Newaygo County Tech. Ctr.
- Gary Lawrence, William D. Ford CTC
- Nate McNeil, Cheboygan High School
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- Ross Whitney, Capital Area Career Ctr.
- Paul Van Gamper, Oakland Tech. Ctr. NE
- Danny Machuta, Traverse Bay Area CTC
- Jacob Erickson, Dickinson-Irons Tech. Ctr.
Oxy Fuel Welding
- Troy Johnson, Capital Area Career Ctr.
- David Salyer, Traverse Bay Area CTC
- Brady LaFrinere, Cheboygan High School
- Zack Rulapaugh, Alma High School
Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Neil Jon Marshall, Dickinson-Irons Tech Ctr.
- Joseph Strucel, Oakland Tech Ctr. SW
- Justin McDonald, Calhoun Area Tech Ctr.
- Jeremy Hovey, Newaygo County Tech Ctr.
OAW
John Esteep, William D. Ford TC
SMAW
Daniel Hammer, Flat Rock High School
GMAW
Chad Mier, Bay Arenac Skill Center
GTAW
Kalvin Myers, Mecosta-Osceola CC
Combined
Chris Szeszulski, Bay Arenac Skill Center
OAW
John Mitter, William D. Ford
SMAW
Joe Powers, Bay Arenac
GMAW
Dustin Elliot, Cheboygan
GTAW
Dan DePollo, Oakland SW
Combined
Brian Peterson, Dickinson Irons
OAW
Jessie Cecil V, Traverse Bay Area CTC
SMAW
Ryan Marshall, Dickinson Irons TC
GMAW
Olivia Huszti, Flat Rock HS
GTAW
Brian Peterson, Dickinson Irons TC
Combined
Josh Gillespie, Flat Rock HS
OAW
Nathan Goldsmith, Traverse Bay Area CTC
SMAW
Chris Chatterton, William D. Ford Tech CC
GMAW
David Dowd, William D. Ford Tech CC
GTAW
Joe Skiendzior, Utica High School
Combined
Lance Kujawski, Utica High School
OAW
Charles Raab, Cheboygan Area HS
SMAW
Dan Sheets, Traverse City Area CTC
GMAW
Nick Townsend, Newaygo County CTC
GTAW
Dan Niemela, Dickinson Irons TC
Combined
Brandon Reinhold, Utica High School