At the Skills USA-Vocational Industrial Clubs of America Championship held June 27 in Kansas City, Mo., six plumbing apprentices were the top finishers from among the 35 contestants competing from across the United States and Puerto Rico. The championship is for high school and college-level students who are members of Skills USA-VICA.

During the residential plumbing competition, organized and co-sponsored by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling-National Association, contestants roughed-in a complete bathroom with water, drain and vent piping. Installations of the lavatory, faucet and water closet were judged on accuracy to specified measurements. Completed projects were pressure tested on water supply lines.

Professional plumbers and pipefitters judged the contest on the basis of accuracy, workmanship, proper selection and use of tools and supplies, and proper safety procedures.

The secondary winners were: first place, Mark Wilson of Middletown, Del.; second place, Blake Payne of Sapulpa, Okla.; third place, Jordan McLaughlin of Levant, Me.

Post-secondary winners were: first place, Cleve Smith of West Jordan, Utah; second place, Ryan Hendershott of Elkhart, Ind.; third place, Nick Acheson of Hope, Kan.

PHCC will also sponsor the International Plumbing Apprentice Contest Nov. 1 in Toronto.