Superior hosts high school welding competition

Superior Industries held a high school welding competition at its headquarters in Morris, Minn. Photo courtesy of Superior Industries.

Superior Industries hosted a high school welding competition at its headquarters in Morris, Minn. More than 60 students competed in the event, which was held at the headquarters’ campus weld training school.

“It’s important for us to celebrate welding as a career choice and essential to connect our students to industries with welding career opportunities,” says Natasha Mortenson, the chief coordinator of the competition and high school teacher in the Morris, Minn., school district.

During the competition, the students were given 35 minutes to weld a plate shaped into a “90” into another plate. They then had to weld pipe to one side of the plate and tube to the other side. The competitors were graded on proper weld bead placement, uniformity, blue print reading and other factors by a seven-person judging panel, says Dave Dybdal, Superior’s weld training instructor.

The first place winner was awarded a new Lincoln Electric Welder, a welding helmet and one week of complimentary training at Superior’s welding school. The second place winner received a new welder, and the third place winner received a torch kit from ESAB Welding & Cutting Products.

“Based on the positive feedback, I expect the competition to grow in the future and offer students and industries a strong connection to one another,” says Mortenson.