Dom McConnell, a Rush Truck Centers – Orlando South technician, was named the all-around Grand Champion at the 20th anniversary Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville.
The 26-year-old McConnell also won the Medium-Duty, Peterbilt, and Medium-Duty Grand Championship during the competition Tuesday, Dec. 16. It was his third trip to the event.
Over 2,700 technicians tested to qualify, and more than 200 made it to the rodeo. But after three days of written testing and hands-on challenges involving medium- and heavy-duty vehicles Rush Enterprises named the top performers.
Rush Enterprises gave away nearly $300,000 in cash and prizes to Rodeo participants.
All-Around Rodeo Champion
- Dom McConnell, Rush Truck Centers – Orlando South
Grand Champions
Top overall performers in each major discipline.
- Truck Sales Grand Champion: Steven Nace, Rush Truck Centers – Smyrna
- Aftermarket Sales Grand Champion: Ryan Summers, Rush Truck Centers – Denver
- Parts Grand Champion: Eric Valenzuela, Rush Truck Centers – Joliet
- Medium-Duty Service Grand Champion: Dom McConnell, Rush Truck Centers – Orlando South
- Heavy-Duty Service Grand Champion: Nat Dixon, Rush Truck Centers – Joplin
Reserve Champions
- Aftermarket Sales Reserve Champion: Francisco Ferrara, Rush Truck Centers – Greeley
- Parts Reserve Champion: Aaron Van Straten, Rush Truck Centers – Houston Northwest
- Medium-Duty Service Reserve Champion: Joe Behrend, Rush Truck Centers – Idaho Falls
- Heavy-Duty Service Reserve Champion: Paul Crawford, Rush Truck Centers – Haines City
Parts Division Winners
- Ford Parts: Jeff Cerullo, Rush Truck Centers – Chicago Light- and Medium-Duty
- Hino Parts: Aaron Van Straten, Rush Truck Centers – Houston Northwest
- Isuzu Parts: John O’Brien, Rush Truck Centers – Orlando South
- International Parts: Eric Valenzuela, Rush Truck Centers – Joliet
- PACCAR Parts: Jesus Bernardo Marquez, Rush Truck Centers – Yuma
Leasing Division
- Leasing Champion: Riley Doyle, Rush Truck Leasing – Houston Northwest
Rising Star Division
- Rising Star Champion: Dan Paquette, Rush Truck Centres of Canada – Sudbury
Body Divisions
- Body Repair Champion: Larry Edwards, Rush Truck Centers – Richmond
- Body Paint Champion: Daniel Garcia Gonzalez, Rush Truck Centers – Salt Lake City
Medium-Duty Service Division Winners
These competitors worked on platforms from Ford, Hino, Isuzu, International, Allison-equipped trucks, and Peterbilt medium-duty models.
- Allison: Charlie Marine, Rush Truck Centers – San Antonio
- Bus: Cody Lucas, Rush Truck Centers – Cleveland
- Ford: Frank Uriostegui-Roman, Rush Truck Centers – Las Vegas
- Hino: Thomas Powell, Rush Truck Centers – Austin
- Isuzu: JR Hartz, Rush Truck Centers – Denver
- International: Chris Purcell, Rush Truck Centers – Atlanta
- Peterbilt Medium-Duty: Dom McConnell, Rush Truck Centers – Orlando South
Heavy-Duty Service Division Winners
These competitors worked across Cummins, International, PACCAR MX, Eaton, and alternative-fuels platforms.
- Alternative Fuels: Walter Hobbs, Rush Truck Centers – Fort Worth
- Vocational: Travis Webster, Rush Truck Centers – Houston
- Cummins: Wesley Appleton, Rush Truck Centers – Odessa
- Eaton: Matt Biggs, Rush Truck Centers – Nashville
- International Engine: Jon Steckman, Rush Truck Centers – Columbus, OH
- PACCAR MX: Brandon Winebark, Rush Truck Centers – Tyler
Truck Sales Division Winners
- Medium-Duty Sales — Ford / Hino / Isuzu: Steven Nace, Rush Truck Centers – Smyrna
- Medium-Duty Sales — Peterbilt & International: Andrew Hirsch, Rush Truck Centers – Charlotte
- Heavy-Duty Sales — Peterbilt & International: Jeff Spanley, Rush Truck Centers – San Antonio
