Meet the National Champions

The 2007 edition of the Commode Commandos from the Littleton/Englewood WWTP entered this year's Operations Challenge competition not knowing what to expect. The team finished in 3rd place overall in 2006 and expected to do well again this year. But this year's preparations were made difficult by the demands of a large ongoing construction project.

The team's first full team practice took place in September. The 20 remaining infrequent practices were limited to one quick run per event. However, the team remained motivated and utilized what practice time they had to focus on performing each event with no penalties.

The Process Control event was held in San Diego, CA on Monday, October 15th. The event consisted of 83 multiple choice questions and 4 process scenarios, each containing 3-6 questions. Points were awarded for correct answers and a point bonus for finishing within 20 minutes. The team did well missing only 7 multiple choice questions and finished the event in 16:30, placing 5th in the Process Event.

The remaining events were held all day Tuesday. The Commandos started with the Safety Event. The Commandos finished with a competitive time and more importantly, a penalty free run.

Next was the Collections event which consists of repairing a broken pipe with water running through it and installing a saddle tap. Penalties are assessed for leaks. Again the Commandos had a penalty free run.

The Lab event consists of all four team members assisting in setting up a BOD test. There are lots of bottles, pipettes, and assorted glassware waiting to be broken as team members pass them back and forth in cramped quarters. One 30-second penalty was assessed. More on the lab later.

The last event the Commandos performed was Pump Maintenance. Team members complete a list of tasks on a trailer-mounted pump and simulate putting the pump into service at a lift station. The team received one 30-second penalty in this event.

After completing all the events the exhausted Commandos headed for the awards ceremony (via the bar) to await their fate. The Commode Commandos have competed in the elite Division 1 since 1995. The teams they compete against include 6-time winners, Team HRSD, 6-time winners, the L.A. Wrecking Crew, 2-time winners, Virginia Fluid Dynamics and defending champions and two time winners the TRA CReWSers. These teams along with all the other teams take the competition very seriously and winning carries great prestige within the close-knit Ops Challenge community.

The team anxiously awaited the announcements for the overall placement in each of the five events. One by one, placements were read and teams came up to the stage to accept their awards. But what is this: the Commandos were not called up for Process, not called up for Safety, nor Lab, nor Pump Maintenance or Collections. How could this be? Did the Commandos get shut out of a top three in an event for the first time since 1997? Well the answer was yes. No top three in any event. The team was now quite disappointed.

It was now time for the announcement of the top three Overall Division 1 placements. The Commandos held out some hope that they may have squeezed out a 3rd place overall finish which would match last year's result. But, the 3rd place team was announced and the TRA CReWSers came up to accept their award. With all hope now gone the 2nd place team was announced. Much to everyone's astonishment the Commode Commandos were called to the stage. Alright!! Second Place, not too bad for a team that had not practiced much and didn't place in the top three in any event. But who got first place? Team HRSD from Hampden Roads in Virginia was called up and welcomed to the stage with a thunderous ovation to collect the prize.

After the awards ceremony copies of the final results listing event times and placement were distributed to each team. While discussing the results over their favorite liquid refreshments Chong Woo discovered an error in the reporting of the team's score in the Lab event. Being an engineer Chong immediately looked at and calculated the impact that the error may have had on the outcome of the Challenge. Could it be? Is it possible? Yes!! Commandos Win!! Commandos Win!!

Once the scores were corrected the Commandos received enough additional points to put them in first place overall in Division 1. Never before has a team finished first without placing in the top three in an individual event. The Commandos were not the fastest in any event but they were nearly penalty free and very consistent. All through the day they did not get down on themselves when their event times were slower than they had hoped for. They stuck together as a team and in the end prevailed.

Congratulations to the Commode Commandos,

Your 2007 National Operations Challenge Champions!!

Stacey Walker - Team Captain

Stacey is an Analytical Chemist and has worked at Littleton/Englewood for 12 years.

Colorado D Wastewater certification
L/E WWTP Employee of the Year, 2000
RMWEA State of Colorado Analytical Merit Award, 2001
WEF Laboratory Analyst Excellence Award, 2002
Team Member since 1997 (10 years)
Team Captain since 2003
Division 1 Champions 1999, 2007

Chong Woo

A member of the Commode Commandos for 3 years, nationally our team has placed 1^st, 3^rd and 4^th overall in those 3 years.

I have been working at the L/E WWTP for 9 years.

Started in the Pretreatment Division and now currently Senior Project Engineer responsible for capital project management and development of construction and maintenance programs for the L/E WWTP infrastructure projects. I obtained my PE license in Civil Engineering in 2005.

Our plant is currently in the 4^th and final year of a major $115 M expansion project.

Finding the time to practice has been very difficult. Our team has put forth a tremendous amount of individual effort and time to practice and come together as a team to compete at the national level. We have come close in past competitions, so winning this National Championship in San Diego has been both very exciting and very gratifying.

Brian Pritekel

Brian Pritekel has 6 years experience in the wastewater operations field, all with the L/E Wastewater Treatment Plant.

In that six years he has worked his way through the certification ladder achieving his "A" Wastewater certification in September of 2005.

Brian joined the Commode Commandos in 2003 replacing Greg Farmer, making this his fifth year on the team.

Caleb Vannice

Caleb Vannice is a Process Maintenance Mechanic and has been with L/EWWTP for 6 years. He has been a team member of the Commode Commandos for 3 years, finishing 4^th, 3^rd, and 1^st place overall. He lives in Littleton, CO with his lovely wife Andrea and their 3 daughters, Naomi, Annabelle, and Shilo.

Caleb replaced the aging Leonard Robb.

Leonard Robb, Coach

I have been working in waste water for the 32 years the last 25 years here at the Littleton/Englewood WWTP, I spent 3 years working for the City of Detroit and 4 years in the US Air Force.

I am a Colorado A certified waste water operator. My current position is Operations Maintenance Coordinator

I have been on the team for 13 years the last two as team coach. I was a team member on the 1999 National Championship team.