MINNEAPOLIS (June 22, 2026) — Xcel Energy hosted its second annual North Star Rodeo at the company’s Hugo Training Center in Hugo, Minnesota on Friday, June 12. The competition provided a close-up view of how line workers and natural gas workers make critical equipment repairs and respond to power outages and emergencies to ensure the delivery of safe, reliable energy.

Hundreds of Xcel Energy employees and their family members gathered at the rodeo to cheer on the nearly 100 Xcel Energy line workers and natural gas workers from Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Colorado and Texas who tested their skills through a series of simulated, life-like scenarios.

“Our line workers are dedicated to ensuring our communities are powered with safe, reliable electricity for all of life’s moments,” said Todd Conner, senior vice president, Distribution at Xcel Energy. “These men and women work around the clock responding to power outages after severe weather events, often in unfavorable conditions, and are an essential part of our workforce as we build the grid of the future.”

“Our natural gas technicians maintain a vast network of underground natural gas lines that enable essential heating and appliances for homes and businesses,” said Laura Boisvert, senior vice president, Gas at Xcel Energy. “We’re proud to offer our technicians a chance to build camaraderie alongside our line workers. Rodeos give our employees the ability to show off their skills to their families and earn recognition through friendly competition.”

From rescuing a ‘hurt man’ (dummy) from the top of a power pole in a timely manner, to connecting a natural gas line from a street to a home, these crews demonstrated how their daily actions help ensure safe and reliable service for the communities in which they live and work.

Winning teams will compete in the National Gas Rodeo in Cincinnati, Ohio in September and the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas in October.

Electric Team Standings:

  • *1st Place: Joe Snyder, Dustin Hess, Chayse Nash (St. Paul, Minnesota)
  • 2nd Place: Bryce Koval, Dylan Vitense, Terry Schloer (Eau Claire, Wisconsin)
  • 3rd Place: Andrew Uthoff, Cory Hestekin, Riley Cade (LaCrosse, Wisconsin)

Natural Gas Team Standings:

Four-to-five person teams

  • *1st Place: John Wagner (White Bear Lake, Minnesota), Sam Novitsky (White Bear Lake, Minnesota), Trevor Nowack (White Bear Lake, Minnesota), Carter Engebretson (St. Paul, Minnesota)
  • 2nd Place: Nathan Perry (Newport, Minnesota), Logan Reindahl (White Bear Lake, Minnesota), Jose Flores-Querido (Newport, Minnesota), Bodee Oneil (Newport, Minnesota), Alex Holt (St. Paul, Minnesota)
  • 3rd Place: Josh Wethammer, Joe Sontoya, Marcus Cherry, Joe Todora, Joe Famoso (St. Paul, Minnesota)

Two-person teams

  • *1st Place: Connor Brantner, Luke Zeilinger (Menomonie, Wisconsin)
  • 2nd Place: Tony Ortiz, Damen Feiertag (Hudson, Wisconsin)
  • 3rd Place: Sam Hedegaard, Izak Gruber (Hudson, Wisconsin)

*Indicates competitors or teams which will represent Xcel Energy in the International Lineman’s Rodeo and the National Gas Rodeo later this year.

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About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider, dedicated to serving millions of customers with excellence. We make energy work better for customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar — delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient and sustainable energy.

We are committed to leading the clean energy transition, meeting our customers’ need for more, cleaner power, while keeping bills as low as possible. Because the people we serve depend on us to power their lives.

Headquartered in Minneapolis, we work every day to generate and distribute electricity and gas to customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on X and Facebook.