King Energy Does it Again!!
The 2nd Annual Sergeant Splice Finger Splicing Invitational proved to be a close re-run of last year’s competition. With one more team competing than last year, this year’s Invitational, January 25, 2007 in Atlanta, saw nine teams compete to find out who would become the new Finger Splicing champions. Beating their time of 35:12, King Energy, Farmington, NM, showed up to defend their title with a winning time of 27:52!
Excitement created by last year’s competition drew some new teams for this year’s event. The following companies were present to compete:
Teams | Company | Location | Competitor | Competitor |
1 | Industrial Supply Solutions, Inc. | Macon, GA | John Hurdle | Jason Hatfield |
2 | Belcon Regis | Chicago, IL | Mike Dunson | Bill Manoski |
3 | Richmond Rubber Supply | Augusta, GA | Chris Spargo | Neil Huff |
4 | King Energy (Team 2) | Farmington, NM | Kyle Thurston | DJ Scott |
5 | King Energy (Team 1) | Farmington, NM | John Meadows | Ryus Finch |
6 | California Industrial Rubber | Yuba City, CA | Eddie Powell | Josh Evans |
7 | Conveyor Services (Tm 2) | Blairsville, PA | Larry Jones | Kerry Trenny |
8 | Conveyor Services (Tm 1) | Blairsville, PA | Bill Rose | Derrick Issacson |
9 | Quality Belt Maintenance | Fort Erie, ONT | Chadd Watson | Mark Serada |
During the opening night dinner, the contestants were briefed on safe procedures (We are very proud to report that there were no injuries or safety issues throughout the competition!), rules and the scoring system. Contestants were given an opportunity to ask questions about the next morning’s competition. An overview of the GREAT prizes to be awarded by Fenner Dunlop and contest sponsor, Shaw-Almex, was also given.
Serious competition!
The nine teams were divided into three heats of three teams each. The contestants were told to bring their own tools and FDA supplied the UsFlex® S2 belts and splice materials for the competition.
Back to reclaim their title, John Meadows and Ryus Finch of King Energy went head to head with Quality Belt Maintenance and Team 1 of Conveyor Services in the first heat. Setting the pace for the first round, Conveyor Services finished strong with a time of 29:11 (before penalties were factored). King Energy finished with a time of 31:05, beating their last year’s time by 4:07.
As the teams finished their heat, Shaw-Almex, contest sponsors, waited at the two presses to begin the curing process for the first splices. Shaw-Almex graciously volunteered to provide equipment and technology for this competition and have been huge supporters of the Fenner Dunlop Splicing Program. Between each heat, Bob Shaw and Ross Currie, of Shaw-Almex, introduced their lightweight and heavyweight presses to the crowd.
Realizing how serious the competition was getting, King Energy (Team 2), Richmond Rubber, & Industrial Supply Solutions, Inc. set their sights on beating the best time in the first heat. Around 10:30 AM, Heat 2 was off to a great start with a huge crowd looking on!
The judges (Philip Ruscoe, Fenner Dunlop Australia; Jeff Ballinger, Fenner Dunlop Atlanta; and Dan Hoca, Fenner Dunlop Toledo) closely watched each team to ensure that safe working areas and procedures were incorporated into the overall performance of each team. A thorough checklist guided the judges in tabulating possible penalties which would effect the final times. Time Keeper, George “Big G” Frank of Fenner Dunlop, not only recorded splice times, but ensured that each team was, in fact, completely finished with their splices.
Curing Judges, Ronnie Whisenhunt (Fenner Dunlop Atlanta) and Brian Whalen (Fenner Dunlop Toledo), were carefully watching the last stage of the splice contest, the curing of each splice.
The first team to finish in Heat 2 was Team 2 of King Energy, turning in an amazing splice time of 27:52! This team really turned up the heat and raised the bar for Heat 3.
We saw some returning competitors from last year’s competition in Heat 3. Mike Dunson returned to the competition this year pairing up with Bill Manoski of Belcon Regis. Eddie Powell of California Industrial Rubber also came back to try his hand at winning with partner Josh Evans. Joining them in Heat 3 was Team 2 of Conveyor Services.
The adrenaline was pumping in Heat 3 as all three teams worked neck in neck to finish before their competition and before the previous three best times (27:52, 29:11 & 31:05). Belcon Regis performed at an unbelievable pace and turned in the first time of the Heat in just 25:58 (before penalties). California Industrial Rubber came in right behind them with a splice time of 29:00, then Conveyor Services with 33:56. This was definitely the closest Heat and the most exciting!!
The Results Are In
The results were concealed until the closing dinner that same night. Tension filled the room as each team waited to find out which team delivered the best final time (with penalties factored). Mike Cremeens, Contest Chairman, provided a slide show highlighting the day’s events.
Before dinner, Mike addressed the group by first saying that he witnessed excellent sportsmanship and camaraderie throughout the competition. Each team obviously took the competition seriously, showing impressive techniques and teamwork.
The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners were revealed to the group and each were awarded trophies and prizes:1st Place - Final time of 27:52 with 0 penalties!
King Energy, Farmington, NM
- Kyle Thurston and DJ Scott each received X-Box 360 from Fenner Dunlop.
- Fenner Dunlop presented Tom King and his team with a $5000 check good to use toward FDA splice materials.
- Shaw-Almex also presented King Energy with a $5000 check good toward the purchase of a Shaw-Almex press. And they presented Kyle and DJ with two laptops.
2nd Place – Final time of 34:58
Belcon Regis, Chicago, IL
- Mike Dunson and Manoski each received Apple IPods from Fenner Dunlop.
- Shaw- Almex presented each with a 35mm Digital camera
3rd Place – Final time of 35:11
Conveyor Services (Team 1), Blairsville, PA
- Bill Rose and Derrick Issacson each received an RCA Sound System from Fenner Dunlop.
- Shaw-Almex presented each with a portable DVD player.
Special Recognition:
Special Recognition went to Conveyor Services for employing unique techniques throughout the competition.
Special thanks to Shaw-Almex for the additional prizes: jackets, shirts, knives and hats.
Final Results
Rank | Splice Time | Penalties | Final Time | Team |
1 | 0:27:52 | 0 | 0:27:52 | King Energy - Team 2 |
2 | 0:25:58 | 3 | 0:34:58 | Belcon Regis |
3 | 0:29:11 | 2 | 0:35:11 | Conveyor Services - Team 1 |
4 | 0:29:00 | 3 | 0:38:00 | California Ind. Rubber |
5 | 0:31:05 | 3 | 0:40:05 | King Energy - Team 1 |
6 | 0:33:56 | 4 | 0:45:56 | Conveyor Services - Team 2 |
7 | 1:00:25 | 2 | 1:06:25 | Quality Belt Maintenance |
8 | 1:04:00 | 3 | 1:13:00 | Richmond Supply |
9 | 1:07:17 | 6 | 1:25:17 | Ind. Supply Solutions, Inc. |
Fenner Dunlop would like to thank the competing distributor teams and Fenner Dunlop personnel for making the 2nd Annual Sergeant Splice Finger Splicing Invitational an overwhelming success. We look forward to hosting the 3rd Annual event with even more teams ready to try their hand at becoming the Fastest and Best Finger Splicing Champion!
Special thank you to:
Shaw-Almex – Robert Shaw & Ross Currie
Fenner Dunlop – Jeff Ballinger, Dan Hoca, George “Big G” Frank, Brian Whalen, Ronnie Whisenhunt and Philip Ruscoe.
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