Central Arizona College Student Selected to Compete in Clash of the Grinders Welding Competition
By Angela Askey, Executive Director Public Relations and Marketing
Central Arizona College student Avalli Knutson was recently selected to compete in the Clash of the Grinders welding competition to be held in September during the FABTECH Expo, a premier metal fabricating and welding show in Chicago.
To apply for the Clash of the Grinders competition, Knutson had to complete an interest form and submit a video of himself responding to select questions. Applicants must have been enrolled in a welding program at a trade school within the past year, must be 18 years of age or older, and could not have competed in the competition in a prior year. Winners of the competition can earn cash prizes. Each contestant will receive a new 3M right angle grinder and abrasives.
With the competition only a month away, Knutson is focused on practicing his Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) techniques and polishing up his grinding skills.
When asked about the competition, Knutson said, “I am really looking forward to participating in the FABTECH Expo and competition, making new connections and learning a lot, as well as seeing the sites of Chicago.”
Knutson became a student at CAC in January 2023, majoring in welding. Being from Eloy, he chose CAC due to the campus’ proximity to home.
Knutson credits Jordan Porterfield, Professor of Welding for “infecting him with the welding bug.” He stated, “I had found welding to be somewhat fascinating a while before starting the program, but it was mostly an instance of “why not give it a try?” He added, “With the training, experience, and certifications I am gaining in the program, my career options continue to increase. There are also social and cultural opportunities on campus as well as a gym that provide additional opportunities.”
In addition to being a welding student, Knutson serves as a work-study/student employee for the trades department. This has allowed him to receive additional experience outside of the classroom while earning a paycheck.
Knutson plans to graduate from CAC in May 2026 with Associate of Applied Science degrees in both pipe welding and structural welding. He is hoping to find a job close to home where he can gain field experience before transitioning to pipeline work out of state.