(KNSI) – Four students from St. Cloud Technical & Community College are preparing to compete at the national SkillsUSA Championships after winning first place at the 2026 Minnesota State Leadership and Skills Conference in late March.
Vincent Sohlstrom of Foley took first in Automotive Service Technology. Ben Everson of Grasston and William Kuhn of Monticello each won first in Industrial Motor Control, with Kuhn competing at the high school level. Carter Bolduc of St. Michael placed first in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration.
The state conference drew more than 550 students from 27 schools competing in nearly 60 trade, technical and leadership contests.
SCTCC students collected additional honors across several programs. Lucas Kunstleben of Pierz placed second in Collision Damage Appraisal and third in Automotive Refinishing Technology. Emerson Lindberg of Kimball, competing at the high school level, placed third in three categories: Automotive Refinishing Technology, Collision Damage Appraisal and Collision Repair Technology.
Other SCTCC finishers included Aiden Kjeldergaard of Foley, second in Diesel Equipment Technology at the high school level; Erika Czech of Hutchinson, third in Industrial Motor Control; Simon Hafstad of St. Cloud, third in Automotive Service Technology at the high school level; and Keegan Middendorf of Sauk Centre, third in Electrical Construction Wiring.
The national championships are scheduled for June in Atlanta.
SkillsUSA is a national organization focused on preparing students for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations.
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