The top collision repair, refinishing and estimating students in Ohio were recently crowned at the 2025 SkillsOhio State Competition.
Held at a CollisionRight facility in Columbus, OH, this highly anticipated event showcased the talents of 54 of Ohio’s best high school juniors and seniors, all of whom have earned top placements in their regional competitions.
Winners in each category will advance to the SkillsUSA National Competition in Atlanta, GA, this June -- a prestigious opportunity to showcase their skills on a national stage. This competition is part of a movement to revitalize vocational education, highlighting the vital role of Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways in equipping students with hands-on skills, showcasing their expertise across 16 trade fields, and connecting them with industry employers.
The winners of this year’s competition are:
Collision Damage Appraisal
• Gold: Caden Wright, Mid-East Career & Technology Centers, Zanesville
• Silver: Kevyn Wyandt, Vanguard-Sentinel CTC - Sentinel Campus
• Bronze: Lars Soles, Four County Career Center
Automotive Refinishing Technology
• Gold: Alec Windsor, Vanguard-Sentinel CTC - Sentinel Campus
• Silver: Owen Zielinski, Medina County Career Center
• Bronze: Mollie Tucker, Ehove Career Center
Collision Repair Technology
• Gold: Javier Mellott, Vanguard-Sentinel CTC - Sentinel Campus
• Silver: Alexander Korotkin, Delaware Area Career Center
• Bronze: Joseph Humphrey, Medina County Career Center
“This competition is an incredible display of talent and dedication,” said Rich Harrison, CEO of CollisionRight, who addressed the students at the event. “It’s inspiring to see so many young people rediscovering the value of vocational training and pursuing careers in the collision industry. As the demand for collision repair professionals continues to grow, events like this highlight the bright future ahead for our industry. These students are proving that hands-on skills and technical expertise remain vital, and we’re proud to support their journey.”
CollisionRight CEO Rich Harrison.
CollisionRight is honored to have hosted the Collision Repair Technology competition for the third consecutive year, solidifying its commitment to supporting workforce development for the automotive collision repair industry. This year, the event was further bolstered by the support and leadership of General Manager Joe Depalo.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support and dedication of our industry partners and volunteers who work together to make the competition a success for our students,” said Kenneth Hall, member of the SkillsUSA Ohio Board of Directors. “We especially recognize CollisionRight for opening their Columbus facility to host again this year. We look forward to continued success in 2026.”
SkillsUSA is a national workforce development organization that equips students with the skills and confidence needed to excel in their future careers. It actively involves industry professionals in evaluating student performance and guides classroom training to meet real world demands. Serving as a launchpad for the next generation of collision repair professionals, it attracts top-tier talent from CTE programs across Ohio, including Tolles, Delaware Area Career Center (DACC) and Eastland Career Center.
Top automotive industry professionals, including representatives of I-CAR, PPG and CCC, were on-site to provide materials, technology, professional guidance and evaluation. Additionally, CollisionRight’s Talent Acquisition team oversaw the mock job interview segment of the competition, assessing competitors’ communication and career-readiness skills -- a component that has helped past participants secure apprenticeships and entry-level roles.
“Our involvement with SkillsUSA allows us to connect directly with the best and brightest young automotive technicians in the industry,” said Angelee Richards, director of talent acquisition at CollisionRight. “We’ve seen firsthand how these competitions open doors for students -- helping them gain confidence, build industry connections and secure meaningful career opportunities.”
