Back-to-back welding national champions

Utah State University Eastern welding students once again brought home top honors at the National Skills and Leadership Conference. And for the first time since 2010, multiple medals are making their way to campus.

USU Eastern’s Welding Fabrication Team, consisting of Tosh Davis and Ben Warnick (USUE’s 2019 valedictorian) of Spanish Fork and Nate Stagg of Roosevelt defended USUE’s 2018 first place finish by bringing home another gold medal – making USUE the back-to-back national champion.

Warnick and Davis have been teammates in this specific competition for four-consecutive years; they earned a bronze medal at the 2016 NLSC, and a gold medal at the 2017 NLSC while competing for Maple Mountain High School. They represented USUE at the 2018 and 2019 NLSC, winning gold both times. This brings their total record to four consecutive state championships in Utah, and one bronze followed by three consecutive gold medals at the national competition.

“To say this is a rare accomplishment is an indescribable understatement – it has never happened before, in any SkillsUSA contest, and will likely never happen again,” Austin Welch, assistant professor of welding technology, said.

Stagg joined Warnick and Davis this year after taking his first year of welding classes at USUE. Stagg decided to continue his welding education at USUE after completing UBTech’s Welding Advanced Technician 990-hour training on the Roosevelt campus.

“Nate is an excellent welder, fabricator, and student, and is hoping to lead USUE’s 2020 team to a third consecutive national championship next year,” Welch said.

Jessen Welch, of Price, placed third in the individual welding competition. He spent last six months preparing for the NLSC, and spent the previous three years battling with his classmates for the opportunity to represent USUE as a SkillsUSA contestant – some of the stiffest competition he faced.

He focused intensely on improving his skills and knowledge and earned the opportunity to represent USUE at Utah’s SkillsUSA contest in March – which he won.

“Jessen’s third place result at nationals can be attributed to his dedication and hard work. He set aside summer employment to practice for the contest – which he did for approximately 40 hours per week,” professor Welch said.

“To say we are pleased with their performance is yet another indescribable understatement,” Austin Welch said. “These students represent the best of Utah State University Eastern and Utah State University. We are excited to watch them progress in their education and careers; they are the future of the welding industry.

 “Exceptional students like these reciprocate their own hard work, competitiveness, and excellence directly into our institution. Consistent results like these makes USU Eastern a nationally recognized welding program and attracts not only the best welding students in Utah, but serious welding students all across the nation seeking both best in welding education and training.”

Besides Welch, the welding department professors include Lon Youngberg, Ph.D., and Mason Winters.