CARY, N.C. — For Dowagiac native Bryan Minikel, becoming the world’s top apprentice lineman was not just about fulfilling a mission he had set out to accomplish more than two years ago.

It was about fulfilling a promise he had made to his late father, Fred.

Minikel, an employee with Duke Energy, based out of North Carolina, told his father in the spring that he believed that he had it in him to win the 2017 International Lineman’s Rodeo — a massive competition for electrical workers across the world. His dad responded by saying, ‘I know you can, and I want to come watch you do it.’”

Tragically, just six days after Minikel qualified to enter the international competition in April, his father died unexpectedly. During the man’s funeral, his family played the song “There Goes my Hero” by the Foo Fighters.

In October, when Minikel was on-stage accepting his first-place trophy during the winner’s ceremony, he heard a familiar tune playing in the speakers above him. The lyrics of the “There Goes my Hero” began emanating through the hall, causing the electrical worker to become overcome with emotion as he took his place in the winner’s circle.

“It was awesome to hear that song playing while I accepted the trophy,” Minikel said, getting choked up about the memory over the phone. “It made it seem like my dad was there with me. It made me break down and cry. It made the whole thing feel really special.”

Minikel took home first-place at the International Lineman’s Rodeo, which took place Oct. 14 in Bonner Springs, Kansas, in the competition’s apprentice division, which was open to linemen with four years or less experience in the industry. The resident of Cary, North Carolina, was among the more than 300 apprentice linemen from across the globe competing in the event.

The competition was broken into two portions. The first was a written examination, where the linemen were asked a series of questions about electrical line repair.

The second half was a physical competition, where the linemen are asked to complete a series of climbing and repair excercises as quickly, yet as accurately, as possible. Each mistake costs the competitors points, which may end up causing even the quickest person to lose in the end, Minikel said.

“The competition is meant to drive home the fact that you have to work safely and efficiently,” Minikel said. “You can’t go out there and get through your tasks as fast as possible without making a bunch of mistakes in the process.”

In the end, the Dowagiac native ended up taking home first place in both phases of the rodeo, with a score of 492 out of 500 and final time of 25 minutes and 30 seconds, he said.

Minikel, a 2000 graduate of Dowagiac Union High School, said the award is the culmination of his career as lineman thus far.

He joined the industry in 2013, after graduating from the lineman academy at Lake Michigan College that August. Minikel — who had previously worked as everything from a massage therapist to a private animal control technician — said he decided to study to become a lineman when his father-in-law, a substation supervisor with American Electric Power, figured the job would be an excellent career for him.

Minikel landed a job with Duke Energy in November 2013, moving away from Dowagiac to North Carolina to work there. In 2014, Minikel competed in his first regional linesmen rodeo, and earned a spot in the international competition the following year, where he took home 12th place.

“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “I figured since I loved the job that much, I would compete and do the best I can. I figured if I try my hardest, I could become the best in the world.”

Though he ended up qualifying for the event in 2016 as well, Minikel and others with Duke Energy could not compete as the company was busy cleaning up damage from Hurricane Matthew, Minikel said.

After taking home first place in the regional completion in 2017 — and with his last words to his father in mind — Minikel was determined to win the top prize in October. With the help of his wife, Elizabeth, he spent at least 30 minutes a day after work studying for the written exam, and would practice his pole climbing skills two to three times a week, he said.

Having finally captured the title as apprentice world champion, Minikel said he is ready to compete in next year’s competition. However, with this year marking his last year of eligibility in the apprentice division, Minikel will be moving up to the team competition next year, where he will partner with two other linemen.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “I’m just going to have to find a team. I’ll probably take a few months off before I start practicing again.”