NEWTON, MS — The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently held its annual District Equipment Operators Roadeo at the MDOT District 5 Headquarters in Newton and the District Equipment Operators Roadeo for District 6 at the Forrest County Multi-Purpose Center in Hattiesburg.

Focusing on efficiency and skill, MDOT’s roadeos provide employees with an opportunity to display their mastery of vehicle handling, trailer maneuvering and heavy equipment precision. The event and judging criteria provide feedback and let operators evaluate their strengths and challenges. Operators improve techniques and learn new skills while engaging in some friendly competition.

“At MDOT, the focus is always on safety,” said Commissioner Tom King, Southern Transportation District. “These roadeos are a chance for MDOT workers to improve and enhance the techniques and skills they use on the job every day. When they are working on our highways near traffic, this precision can help keep them and the traveling public safe.”

 District 5 events and winners are as follows. 

• Lowboy: First Place – Terry Buckley; Second Place – Billy Coward; Third Place – Trevor Graham
• Single Axle Dump Truck: First Place – John Hodge; Second Place – Matthew Thorne; Third Place – Rockiese West
• Tandem Axle Dump Truck: First Place – Sammy Townsend; Second Place – Jeffrey May; Third Place – Dan Murphy
• Backhoe: First Place – Matthew Thorne; Second Place – Craig Kelly; Third Place – David Rutledge
• Motor Grader: First Place – Jeffrey May; Second Place – John Pace; Third Place – Ron Gibbs
• Bushhog: First Place – Wayne Perkins; Second Place – Nathan Perkins; Third Place – Billy Coward

District 6 events and winners are as follows:

• Lowboy: First Place – James D. Henry; Second Place – Ron Davis; Third Place – Tucker H. Shows
• Single-Axle Dump Truck: First Place – Tucker H. Shows; Second Place – Vincent B. Necaise; Third Place – Thomas “Bones” Ethridge, III
• Tandem-Axle Dump Truck: First Place – David M. Baty; Second Place – Vincent B. Necaise; Third Place – Billy R. Owen
• Backhoe: First Place – Michael A. Lee; Second Place – Charlie Hayes; Third Place – Kyle H. Woods
• Motor Grader: First Place – Kyle H. Woods; Second Place – Tucker H. Shows; Third Place – Tracy Woods
• Bushhog: First Place – Tucker H. Shows; Second Place – Vincent B. Necaise; Third Place – Douglas Wyatt Lee

The top two winners from each event have advanced to the state finals, which will be held on May 31 in Biloxi. At the state competition, winners from all six districts will compete, and a state champion will be crowned.