UBTech Titans Break Records Again at 2025 SkillsUSA Utah State Competition
Uintah Basin Technical College students continue to raise the bar at the SkillsUSA Utah Leadership and Skills Conference, this year bringing home a record-breaking 65 medals—surpassing last year’s historic performance. Out of 108 UBTech competitors, 31 earned gold medals and will advance to the national SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta, Georgia, this summer.
UBTech remains a powerhouse in the state, earning the highest number of medals and proving once again that its students rank among the best in Utah for career and technical education.
In total, UBTech students brought home 31 gold, 18 silver, and 5 bronze medals.
Gold medalists include: Ayden Stratz in Motorcycle Service Technology, Ronald Salguero in Automotive Service Technology, Wyatt Mckee in Power Equipment Technology, Taw Jackson in Diesel Equipment Technology, Verla Hanberg in Job Skill Demonstration, David Anderson in Related Technical Math, and Pierce Woodward in Carpentry. The Welding Fabrication team of Duncan Ovard, Chester Parrish, and Jaygen Stubbs also took gold, along with Zayerra Flores in Welding Sculpture, and the TeamWorks team of Grant Franklin, Emmett Gregory, Kael Hunting, and Damien Taylor.
Additional gold winners include Matthew Costello in Cabinetmaking, Allen Petersen in Internetworking, Emily Anderson in Information Technology Services, Audie Christensen in Medical Assisting, Merek Sharp in Medical Math, and the Health Knowledge Bowl post-secondary team of Ariana Bess, Jessica Hatch, Dacey Jorgensen, and Evelyn Woodland. Caleb Hadlock earned gold in First Aid/CPR, Amanda Boyer in Practical Nursing, Harley Rich and Nichole Ehrman in Nurse Assisting, Ava Martinez in Basic Health Care Skills, Amber Davis in Medical Terminology, and Strayden Olsen in Welding – Individual.
Silver medalists include: Drake Zager in Motorcycle Service Technology, Matthew Jensen in Automotive Service Technology, Dean John in Collision Repair Technology, Joseph Thomas in Power Equipment Technology, Margaret Rousseau in Job Interview, Hanssen Leis in Carpentry, and Barrett Anderson in Welding Sculpture. The silver TeamWorks team included Bridger Jenkins, Ryder Olsen, Stockton Whiting, and Kabryn Whiting.
Other silver winners include Vince Garcia in Information Technology Services, Andi Haas in Baking and Pastry Arts, Ryzer Monsen in Medical Assisting, Kedric Ward in Medical Math, Kaylynn Trinnaman in Nurse Assisting, Haylee Moynier in Basic Health Care Skills, and Donna Trane in Medical Terminology. Two Health Knowledge Bowl teams also secured silver—one secondary team made up of Jed Chatwin, Evie Davison, Jakoda Oman, and Nancy Meyers, and one post-secondary team with Elizabeth Asay, Rebekah Bigelow, Zaida Hernandez, and Molly Kiever.
Bronze medalists this year include: Brodie Anderson in Motorcycle Service Technology, Hayden Tomothy in Power Equipment Technology, Kwynn Hawk in Welding Sculpture, and Drew Huber in Cabinetmaking. A Health Knowledge Bowl team made up of Cheznie Cook, Jaquoi Jeppsen, Brinady Lamb, and Tyson Manning also brought home bronze.
In addition to their competitive achievements, several UBTech students also serve as SkillsUSA State Officers, demonstrating their dedication to leadership and service within the organization. Brenden Peterson serves as the SkillsUSA Utah Secretary, Alegna Handberg as Historian, Ashlynn Bascom as the Postsecondary President, and Evelyn Woodland as the Eastern Region Representative.
“UBTech Titans continue to inspire us with their technical mastery, teamwork, and dedication,” said UBTech President Aaron Weight. “This record-breaking year is a testament of our excellent faculty, programs, and the talent of our students. These young professionals represent the future of the workforce, and we couldn’t be prouder.”
Ayden Stratz and Ronald Salguero have achieved a rare milestone, returning to nationals for the third consecutive year—now as adult students. Ayden, who earned national gold in 2023 and silver in 2024, will once again represent UBTech in Motorcycle Service Technology. Ronald will compete in Automotive Service Technology.
Strayden Olsen joins the elite group of three-time state gold medalists, winning this year and last year in Welding – Individual, and previously in 2022 for Welding Fabrication. He also earned a national gold medal in 2024.
Matthew Costello also secured his second gold in Cabinetmaking. While he was unable to compete at the national level last year due to Army obligations, he now follows in the footsteps of his brother, Joshua Costello, who brought home a national silver medal in 2022. Matthew aims to surpass Joshua’s national performance as he heads to Atlanta this summer.
Pierce Woodward, another standout competitor, becomes a three-time state medalist. In 2023, he earned bronze as part of a four-person TeamWorks team and followed that up with back-to-back gold medals in Carpentry in 2024 and 2025.
Caleb Hadlock celebrates his third consecutive state medal in First Aid/CPR, this time upgrading from silver to gold. Similarly, Emily Anderson and David Anderson return to the competition after silver medal finishes last year, each now earning gold and securing their places at the national competition. Evelyn Woodland, who earned bronze last year in Nurse Assisting, returned this year to win gold as part of the post-secondary Health Knowledge Bowl team.
Returning medalists Matthew Jensen, Ryzer Monsen, Jakota Oman, Cheznie Cook, and Jaquoi Jeppsen continue to demonstrate exceptional skill and consistency in their fields. The TeamWorks group of Bridger Jenkins, Ryder Olsen, Kabryn Whiting, and Stockton Whiting showcased impressive growth, improving on their previous bronze medal finish with a well-earned silver this year.
Out of 108 UBTech competitors, 31 earned gold medals and will advance to the national SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta, Georgia, this summer. In total, UBTech students brought home a record-breaking 65 medals—31 gold, 18 silver, and 5 bronze—earning more medals than any other institution.
