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Diesel Technology students from the North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) made a powerful showing at the 2025 Colorado TopTech Skills Competition, capturing the top four spots in the student division and winning 12 out of 14 competitive stations. 

Held April 12 at the Lincoln Tech campus in Denver and hosted by the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, the TopTech competition tested the skills of diesel technicians through a series of rigorous written and hands-on challenges, including diagnostics in brakes, electrical systems, preventative maintenance, and more. 

Tyler Sandberg claimed first place overall and was named the top student technician. As the winner, Sandberg has qualified to compete at the national level in Raleigh, North Carolina this September. 

Judges noted that this year’s NDSCS scores were among the highest ever recorded in the competition’s history. Joining Sandberg in the winners’ circle were fellow NDSCS students: 
• Zale Bushlack – 2nd Place 
• Nathan Olson – 3rd Place 
• Curtis Sauer – 4th Place 

The competition drew praise from industry professionals for the exceptional preparation and professionalism displayed by all NDSCS participants. Notably, one of the top scorers was a first-year student—an impressive feat in a field dominated by experienced competitors. 

"This outstanding performance speaks to the quality of training and commitment of our Diesel Technology program, our faculty, and most of all, our students," said Chad Hinkley, Diesel Technology instructor. 

The Colorado TopTech Skills Competition is one of the premier diesel skills events in the region, designed to evaluate and celebrate the next generation of technicians poised to lead the heavy-duty transportation and maintenance industries.

Photo Caption: Tyler Sandberg, Nathan Olson, Curtis Sauer, Zale Bushlack

SkillsUSA has selected NDSCS graduate Cale Mouser as the official competitor for Heavy Vehicle Technology at the 2024 WorldSkills Competition. Mouser will represent the United States at the 2024 WorldSkills Competition, which will be held September 10-15, 2024 in Lyon, France.

During his time as a student at NDSCS, Mouser, originally from Tenstrike, Minn., represented the state of North Dakota at the SkillsUSA Championships in 2022 and 2023 and won a national bronze medal in 2022 and a national gold medal in 2023 in Diesel Equipment Technology.

Mouser credits his success in learning Diesel Equipment Technology to having a mentality that is driven and a mind that is open to learning. “Without my instructors and my employers not only teaching me but allowing me to work at my own pace to understand the systems, I wouldn’t have been successful.”

Mouser says what he likes best about working in the trades is the variety, complexity, and the troubleshooting that each day brings. “There is no one day that is exactly like another.”

“The 2024 WorldSkills USA team will have an amazing opportunity to represent SkillsUSA and our nation while undergoing incredibly rigorous training in their craft,” said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis. “These team members are making a serious commitment to both their skill development and personal growth that will foster their drive, passion and life’s purpose.”

The 2024 WorldSkills Competition, the 47th annual worldwide event, will showcase dozens of trade skills from construction and building technology, manufacturing and engineering, transportation, and more. Over 1500 competitors from over 65 countries and regions will demonstrate their abilities in 62 skill competitions.

About being selected as part of the WorldSkills USA team, Mouser says, “It is impossible to put into words what an honor it is to represent the United States on a global level.”

Follow Cale Mouser and the rest of the 2024 WorldSkills USA team online at www.worldskillsusa.org.