Forty-two teams competed in the event held between August 27 and 30 at the MSHA mine academy in Beckley, West Virginia. Teams from West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Alabama participated.

Mine rescue teams are required to complete 96 hours of training annually, but the mine rescue teams sponsored by Alpha's affiliates consistently exceed that requirement every year, Alpha's director of mine emergency and preparedness Perry Whitley said.

"These are the best of the best. In this competition, our mine rescue teams showed how hard they work all year long. We are proud of the work they do before, during and after an emergency."

The first day of the event focused on first aid. The teams were given problems and had to solve them while following proper procedures. The teams were then put to the test with two days of mine rescue scenarios and tests.

Southern West Virginia Team number 2 with Mark Bolen as captain won the West Virginia State Championship and took first overall. Rockspring Gold Team with Dennis Horn as captain placed first on day two of the mine rescue contest and took second place overall and second place in the state of West Virginia.

In other results Cumberland Coal Resources, LP, Cumberland RD team with Robert Drzazgowki and Jason Layhue as captains, finished second for the combination team in first aid and mine rescue and Cumberland Coal Resources, LP, Cumberland JC team with John Chambers as captain, won 1st place on the first day of the mine rescue contest.

Jeremy McClung with Brooks Run North took home 3rd place in Bench in the state of West Virginia and Rob Hutchinson with the Cumberland Coal Resources, LP, Cumberland RD team placed third overall in the bench category.