SOMERSET — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways District 8 brought home its third state championship from the 2018 statewide Equipment Roadeo held June 26-27 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Adding to the state championship honor, three Casey County competitors earned individual awards: Joe Sharp won the individual championship for the backhoe competition; Barry Johnson won the individual championship in the tractor/mower competition; and Adam Matherly won third place in the grader event.

“We are very proud of what our participants accomplished this year,” said Tamra Wilson, chief district engineer for the Department of Highways District 8. “Winning the overall state championship is really a big deal, and to have these competitors place in the top three in the individual events is impressive. We couldn’t be happier about what our team accomplished this year.”

The competition is part of the annual Equipment Operators Safety & Training Conference. Teams from all 12 state highway districts across Kentucky competed for honors. The event allows equipment operators across the state to show their skills in operating the equipment they use to maintain state highways. The obstacle courses simulate actual situations equipment operators may encounter in the performance of their duties.

District 8’s winners will join event winners from Kentucky’s other highway districts in September to participate in the annual Southeastern Regional Equipment Operators Safety Training Conference competition in Rogers, Arkansas.

“Our equipment operators work hard to maintain our state highways,” Wilson said. “We will be cheering for them to bring home a regional championship with the rest of Kentucky’s competitors this fall.”

District 8 encompasses the counties of Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Lincoln, McCreary, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell and Wayne in south-central Kentucky.