COLLINSVILLE – Ameren Illinois customers served by the Marion Operating Center (OC) know that journeymen linemen Jason Novak, Clayton Gulley and Austin Lewis are great at keeping the lights on in southern Illinois. The trio now have the distinction of being the best linemen in the world after finishing first overall at the 40th International Lineman’s Rodeo in Overland Park, KS, Oct. 18-19.

The lineman’s rodeo attracts the best linemen from around the world to compete in events based on traditional lineman tasks. Novak, Gulley and Lewis dominated with two second-place finishes to earn the best-of-the-best title at the competition. More than 255 journeymen and nearly 400 apprentices competed this year.

“To win the title ‘Best of the Best’ is an amazing feeling,” Novak said. “We practiced hard, but it takes a special day to win it all against the most elite competitors in the world. We developed a game plan before each event, but anything can happen, and we adjusted on the fly. I couldn’t be prouder of how my teammates performed and how the other Ameren competitors did as well.”