Fourteen students from area high schools recently competed in Nicolet College’s High School Welding Competition Finals.

While the annual event at Nicolet gave students the chance to sharpen and show off their welding skills, it also did much more than that, said Warren Krause, Nicolet Welding instructor. “It also gave them the added opportunity to explore welding as a possible career, and by having the event at Nicolet, they also got a taste of what a college campus is like,” Krause said. “For many of these students, this was the first time they’ve had the opportunity to visit Nicolet.”

Qualifying rounds were held in March, with students tested on welding and math skills. In the finals, Ryan Nehls of Rhinelander High School won top honors with Jonathon Britt and Adam Sislo, both of Northland Pines, finishing second and third, respectively.