On Thursday, Feb. 26, students competed in the 52nd Annual AWS Behind the Mask Welding Competition, hosted by Minnesota State College Southeast. The 2026 competition brought together 215 competitors from more than 10 colleges, and was open to both students and professionals — meaning our students were tested against experienced welders as well as their peers.
The competition featured a wide range of events, including:
- Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
- Oxy-Fuel Cutting (OFC)
- Razor Blade
- GMAW & SMAW Virtual simulation
- Theory Trivia
Dunwoody’s team delivered impressive results:
- 1st Place in GTAW: Alan Yuquilima, Welding & Metal Fabrication, A.A.S.
- 3rd Place in GMAW: Tegan Glasgow, Welding Technology, Certificate
- Tied for 1st in GMAW Virtual Competition: Alan Yuquilima and Brennen Keaveny, Welding & Metal Fabrication, A.A.S.
Beyond the awards, the experience itself was meaningful.
“It was a great experience. I grew closer to classmates, and it was fun competing,” Keaveny said.
Each of the students competed in at least three events with some taking on even more.
“I felt well prepared going into the competition. I felt as prepared as one could be,” Keaveny also said. Noting that the TIG welding portion involved aluminum — something they had learned just three weeks prior to the event — highlighting how closely their classroom training aligned with real-world challenges.
For Glasgow, earning a top finish came as a surprise. “I was caught off guard and did not expect to win,” he said.
Throughout the year, students have been sharpening their skills — not just for this competition, but for their future careers in the workforce. Their preparation, practice, and commitment paid off.
When asked what advice they would give to future welding students, the message was clear:
- Spend as much time in the booth as you can
- Do your assignments
- Get feedback from your professors and peers
These students have a bright future in welding — and they’re already looking forward to returning to the competition next year.