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MITCHELL — When Mitchell Technical College student Blaine Simantel traveled to Atlanta for the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, he hoped to perform well against the nation’s best career and technical education students.
He never expected to leave with a silver medal.
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“Honestly, I didn’t think I’d be on that stage to begin with,” Simantel said.
Simantel was one of nine Mitchell Tech students who recently represented South Dakota at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. The annual event drew more than 6,800 state champions from across the country for hands-on technical, skilled and leadership competitions. Students tested their abilities in more than 100 fields while networking with employers and industry professionals.
Mitchell Tech students returned home with four top-three finishes, a testament to both the talent emerging from the college’s classrooms and the growing importance of technical education in addressing workforce needs across South Dakota.
“Qualifying for SkillsUSA Nationals is an accomplishment in itself,” said Rayne Guindon, Mitchell Tech’s Power Sports and Marine Technology instructor. “These students spent countless hours preparing for competition while balancing coursework and other responsibilities. They represented Mitchell Tech, their programs and South Dakota exceptionally well.”
Simantel earned second place in Marine Service Technology. Trevor Boesel captured bronze in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR), while Sully Shippy and Brenden Wantoch teamed up for another bronze medal performance in Mechatronics.
Mitchell Tech’s welding students also made a strong showing. Caden Waltner, Nathan Hoekman and River Niewenhuis placed 10th in the Welding Fabrication team competition, while Josiah Wollman finished 18th in Welding Sculpture. Jaxon Ladner represented the college in Electrical Construction Wiring.
For Simantel, the national competition validated years spent doing what he had always enjoyed.
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“I’ve always liked tinkering with stuff,” he said.
As he considered career options, Simantel saw powersports and marine technology as a practical path built around that interest.
At nationals, Simantel rotated through 14 stations designed to test different aspects of marine service knowledge and troubleshooting abilities. One of the biggest challenges came when he encountered a motor brand he had never worked with before.
Simantel said the experience showed him there is always room to improve, but also gave him confidence that the skills he developed at Mitchell Tech stack up against students from across the country. He plans to continue working in the powersports and marine industry and said competing at SkillsUSA is something that will stand out throughout his career.
“It’s something you can put on a résumé that not many people can say they’ve done,” Simantel said.
For Waltner, a welding fabrication competitor, the path to Atlanta began much earlier.
Waltner said his interest in welding began by watching his grandfather work on projects around the shop, eventually developing into a career path of his own.
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The Welding Fabrication competition challenged teams to interpret blueprints, fabricate projects to exact specifications and work together under strict time constraints. Competitors also had to adapt to unexpected situations and solve problems on the fly.
“You kind of go into it blindly and just have to use your knowledge and rely on your knowledge and skills,” Waltner said.
Beyond technical expertise, SkillsUSA competitions emphasize many of the qualities employers seek in new hires, including communication, accountability, teamwork and problem-solving.
“Students get to measure their skills against the best in the country, make industry connections and gain confidence in their abilities,” said Travis Peterson, Mitchell Tech’s Welding and Manufacturing program coordinator. “Whether they brought home medals or not, they return with valuable experiences that will benefit them throughout their careers.”
Peterson said the competition mirrors the realities students will face once they enter the workforce. While technical knowledge is essential, employers are also looking for workers who can communicate effectively, adapt to unexpected challenges and collaborate with others to solve problems.
Those are skills students are forced to develop when competing against the best in the nation under tight deadlines and unfamiliar circumstances.
The conference also offered opportunities beyond competition. Students participated in leadership activities, attended career fairs and connected with employers from across the country. Boesel was selected to appear on an ESCO HVAC podcast, where he discussed the evolving industry, what draws people to the field and his experiences in technical education.
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Boesel credited his instructors at Mitchell Tech for helping him get ready for the national stage.
“I went in to school early every day, and Wade (Brozik) and Jason (Juhnke) really put in the time to make sure I was prepared for nationals,” Boesel said.
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