Diesel Technology students from North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) delivered an outstanding performance this spring, earning top honors at both regional and state skills competitions. At the 2026 Colorado TopTech Skills Competition, held April 25 in Denver, NDSCS students captured six of the top eight spots in the student division and won 11 of 12 competitive stations. Hosted by the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, the competition challenges students through a combination of written exams and hands-on diagnostics in areas such as brakes, electrical systems, and preventative maintenance. In addition to their success at TopTech, NDSCS Diesel students also earned top placements at the North Dakota SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference, held on the NDSCS Wahpeton campus from April 19-21. These results highlight the strength of NDSCS’s Diesel Technology program and its continued commitment to preparing students for careers in the heavy-duty transportation and maintenance industries.
Students named in the release with their hometown include:
- Nathan Olson (Moorhead, Minn.)
- Zane Schumacher (Reynolds, N.D.)
- Carter Julin (Glyndon, Minn.)
- Miles Hanson (Waconia, Minn.)
- Cayne Rudolph (Stanley, N.D.)
- Wyatt Hagen (Sunburg, Minn.)
- Paul Ekhoff (Bemidji, Minn.)
- Kaden Gutormson (Brookings, S.D.)
Please find the full press release attached for more detailed information, along with photos available for use. You can also view the press release online.
Photo Captions:
- TopTech Winners – All : NDSCS TopTech winners (left to right): Wyatt Hagen, Miles Hanson, Zane Schumacher, Nathan Olson, Carter Julin, and Cayne Rudolph stand with the toolbox and awards they earned at the competition.
- ND SkillsUSA – Top 3 : Three NDSCS students medaled at the North Dakota SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference (left to right): Zane Schumacher, Paul Ekhoff, and Kaden Gutormson.
