Local plumber flushes out competition, heads to national championship

SAVOY, Ill. (WAND) — A local plumber is on his way to the National Plumbing Championship after making it through three rounds of qualifying tournaments.

Andrew Hall, an Illinois native and member of the UA Local 149, competed and won in the local competition, which fast-tracked him to the state championships in March. After he won at state, he competed alongside ten other state champion apprentices in Iowa in June.

At each competition, contestants are put through multiple trails. Hall said he put a lot of work into preparing for the different tests and challenges. "I dedicated this [last] year into just kind of fine-tuning my skills."

Some of the tests included plumbing projects, welding, and two exams totaling 250 questions.

Hall said he is excited about going forward into the finals, if not overwhelmed. "I'm honored. It's a big privilege to be a part of it ... but it's definitely nerve-wracking."

The National Plumbing Championship will take place August 10th to the 15th, where he will competing alongside 5 other members of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters.