UBTech Students Earn National Medals After Tying for Highest State Medal Count at SkillsUSA
Uintah Basin Technical College students built on a strong showing at the state level to earn multiple medals at the 2026 National SkillsUSA in Atlanta, Georgia, continuing the College's tradition of excellence in career and technical education.
UBTech students brought home three gold medals and two silver medals at the national competition, competing against the top students from across the country in rigorous, industry-driven contests. Leading the national medalists, Lucas Duncan earned gold in Electrical Construction Wiring, McKinley Rasmussen claimed gold in First Aid/CPR, and Wyatt McKee earned gold in Power Equipment Technology. Silver medals were awarded to Kaycie Allred in Medical Assisting and Aidyn Beckstead in Practical Nursing.
"UBTech students continue to prove they are amongst the best in the nation," said UBTech President Aaron Weight. "Their success reflects the strength of our programs, the dedication of our instructors, the hard work of each student and the importance of the industries we serve."
UBTech's national success followed an outstanding performance at the SkillsUSA Utah State Leadership and Skills Conference. UBTech students earned 40 medals—19 gold, 10 silver, and 11 bronze—tying for the highest medal count of any participating Utah institution. The strong showing positioned UBTech among the state's top-performing schools and qualified a large contingent of students to represent Utah at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta.
At the state competition, UBTech students earned top honors in multiple categories. Gold medalists included Matthew Jensen in Automotive Service Technology, Andi Haas in Baking and Pastry Arts, Elizabeth Graham in Basic Health Care Skills, Eli Schurger in Cabinetmaking, Hanssen Leis in Carpentry, and Dean John in Collision Repair Technology. Lucas Duncan earned gold in Electrical Construction Wiring at the post-secondary level, and McKinley Rasmussen earned gold in First Aid/CPR at the post-secondary level. Both the secondary Health Knowledge Bowl team—Sherry Liu, Shayanne Ulwelling, Abigail Greenhow, and Vicky Liu—and the post-secondary team—Conor Wellard, McKaylee Taylor, Chase Taylor, and Ariana Young—also earned gold medals. Additional gold medalists included Verla Hanberg in Job Skills Demonstration, Chazlynn Michaelson in Medical Assisting, Tiffany Parker in Medical Assisting at the post-secondary level, Kyle Hadlock in Medical Math, Oaklee Oman in Nurse Assisting, Kaydence Brunyer in Nurse Assisting at the post-secondary level, Wyatt McKee in Power Equipment Technology, Aidyn Beckstead in Practical Nursing at the post-secondary level, and the TeamWorks team of Jackson Checketts, Grant Franklin, Kael Gross, and Emmett Gregory.
Silver medalists included Samuel Fitzpatrick in Automotive Service Technology, Stockton Whiting in Carpentry, Taw Jackson in Diesel Equipment Technology, and the secondary Health Knowledge Bowl team of Cheznie Cook, Brinady Lamb, Jaquoi Jeppsen, and Tyson Manning. Additional silver medalists were Kaycie Allred in Medical Assisting at the post-secondary level, Kaila Reynolds in Medical Terminology, Kenzie Carroll in Medical Terminology at the post-secondary level, Enza Clinger in Nurse Assisting, Duncan Ovard in Welding, and Barrett Anderson in Welding Sculpture.
Bronze medalists included Kelvin Sosa Pinto in Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair, Dallin Martinsen in Cabinetmaking, Taylor Harrison in Extemporaneous Speaking at the post-secondary level, Sophie Hadlock in First Aid/CPR, Tobias Faucher in Information Technology Services, Emily Anderson in Information Technology Services at the post-secondary level, Ethan Rios in Internetworking, Kayson Zilles in Medical Math, Brooke McKee in Medical Terminology, Kwynn Hawk in Welding Sculpture, and the bronze-medal Health Knowledge Bowl team consisting of Josilyn Gordon, Derenis Soto, Dayane Luna Salguero, and Spencer Hatch.
Students who earned gold at the state level advanced to represent Utah at the national competition, with additional medalists stepping in when a qualifier was unable to attend. National competitors included post-secondary students Kaycie Allred in Medical Assisting, Aidyn Beckstead in Practical Nursing, Kaydence Brunyer in Nurse Assisting, Lucas Duncan in Electrical Construction Wiring, McKinley Rasmussen in First Aid/CPR, and the Health Knowledge Bowl team of McKaylee Taylor, Chase Taylor, Conor Wellard, and Ariana Young. Secondary competitors included Elizabeth Graham in Basic Health Care Skills, Andi Haas in Baking and Pastry Arts, Oaklee Oman in Nurse Assisting, Ethan Rios in Internetworking, and the TeamWorks team of Jackson Checketts, Grant Franklin, Kael Gross, and Emmett Gregory. Additional competitors included Abigail Greenhow, Sherry Liu, Vicky Liu, and Shayanne Ulwelling in Health Knowledge Bowl, Kyle Hadlock in Medical Math, Verla Hanberg in Job Skills Demonstration, Matthew Jensen in Automotive Service Technology, Dean John in Collision Repair Technology, Hanssen Leis in Carpentry, Dallin Martinsen in Cabinetmaking, and Wyatt McKee in Power Equipment Technology.
Strong community partnerships help make UBTech's continued success at SkillsUSA possible. For multiple years, Iowa Tanklines has supported UBTech students by helping cover travel expenses, ensuring that students can compete at the national level without financial barriers.
"It's an honor to support these students," said Todd Bro, Owner of Iowa Tanklines. "They represent the very best of hands-on education and our future workforce."
Utah students also had an exceptional year at the national competition, earning the second-highest number of gold medals among all states participating in SkillsUSA Championships. UBTech students contributed to the statewide success with three national gold medals and two national silver medals.
The SkillsUSA Championships bring together the nation's most talented career and technical education students to compete in real-world, hands-on assessments aligned with industry standards. Through their performance, UBTech students continue to demonstrate the technical skills, professionalism, and work ethic needed to succeed in today's workforce.
Aidyn Beckstead earned a national silver medal in Practical Nursing at the 2026 SkillsUSA Championships, highlighting the strength of UBTech's healthcare education programs.
