A member of Local 17 Cleveland bested a group of 13 other Ironworker apprentices during the Great Lakes District Council Apprentice Competition, held this year in Cleveland.

Held May 31 and June 1, Max Meese took first place in the district competition, earning the right to compete this fall in the Ironworkers national apprentice competition. Iron Workers Local 55 (Toledo) Apprentice Mark Vajen placed second and will also compete in the national competition.

Both Meese and fellow Local 17 Brother Josh Cunningham qualified for the district competition. The two men were eligible despite recently completing their Ironworker apprenticeship training.

The competitors were tested on welding, oxy-fuel cutting, rigging, rebar tying, column climb, and an architectural and transit portion where they shot elevations. They also took a 100-question written test covering all the material covered during their apprenticeship.

Despite having a broken finger, Meese, 25, placed first in the column climb test, scaling the 35-foot column in an impressive 19 seconds, according to Dan Strimpel, Local 17 Training Coordinator.

While practicing during the weeks leading up to the competition, Meese was consistently climbing the column at the Local 17 training center in about 10 seconds, Strimpel said.

“He was the 10th contestant to compete in that event, so the column was oiled up from the other contestants before him,” Strimpel said. “But it was only fitting he went on to be the top of the whole District Council.”

The second day of the competition was open to the public so the competitors could be cheered on by their families and friends.

Meese, who lives in Uhrichsville, worked as a millwright for a year before he changed crafts and joined Local 17’s apprenticeship program.

Strimpel said he was extremely proud of both Local 17 competitors.

“They’re both great apprentices who showed up every day, read and took the class seriously,” he said. “There’s nothing negative to say about either one of them. I knew they would succeed.”

Strimpel and the two other Local 17 instructors were on hand to watch both apprentices compete and offer guidance, whether it was advice or just a reminder to calm down.

“Max and Josh both finished 90 percent or better on every test and anything we showed them, they picked up really well,” Strimpel said. “I’ve been with them all four years and out of the eight years I’ve been here, they are two of the best apprentices that came through our program.”

Meese will compete in the National Ironworker Apprentice Competition in Chicago from Oct. 2-5.

“After winning the district competition, I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment not only for myself but for Local 17,” Meese said. “It’s a reflection of the dedication and effort put forth by all the instructors. As the saying goes, iron sharpens iron. I’m looking forward to the national competition. It’s a sweet experience to be a part of, and hopefully, we can bring it home where it belongs, to Local 17.”

The national competition will have slight differences but overall will be similar to the district competition, Strimpel said.

“Max is already reading the book and practicing,” he said. “The competition isn’t for almost five months. He’s already been calling me and asking me questions.”