Three-Peat Welding Champion Wins National Title, Sets Sights on WorldSkills 2026

A Utah State University Eastern student was recently named the top collegiate welder in the nation, marking his third national title in three years.

Benjamin Cornaby placed first in the welding division at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta. He has now won three consecutive national welding titles, one as a high school student and two as a college student at USU Eastern.

At the same time, USU Eastern has claimed the collegiate national title three years in a row, with Cornaby winning in 2024 and 2025 and Wyatt Hansen securing the championship in 2023.

Austin Welch, associate professor of welding technology at USU Eastern, said it's Cornaby’s commitment and work ethic that sets him apart from other competitors.

“His focus, discipline and ability to process feedback are elite-level traits,” Welch said. “He’s humble, he’s coachable and he shows up.”

The latest win is not the end of competition for Cornaby. Now, he is preparing for the American Welding Society USA Weld Trials, a monthslong competition series that will determine who represents the United States in welding at WorldSkills Shanghai in 2026. Often referred to as the Olympics of skilled trades, WorldSkills is the highest level of technical competition in the world.

Cornaby has been chasing this goal since winning the national championship in high school.

“That’s been the end goal all along,” he said. “Nationals is one thing, but WorldSkills is a whole new level.”

The USA Weld Trials begin this fall and will involve multiple rounds of project submissions. Competitors receive a welding kit by mail and must return precisely completed pieces, along with detailed documentation explaining their techniques and decision-making, all under tight deadlines and strict technical requirements.

If selected to represent Team USA in February, Cornaby will train under Chandler Vincent, a USU Eastern alumnus and former competitor who won the USA Welding Trials in 2017 and represented the U.S. at WorldSkills. Vincent now owns his own welding business and also trains other competitive welders in his role as Deputy U.S. Expert.

Despite his winning streak, Cornaby remains focused on the work ahead.

“Past wins are awesome, but this is a new competition,” Cornaby said. “I just want to put my head down, do the work and get there. I’ve seen what happens when people let pride creep in. I want to stay grounded and let the results speak for themselves.”

Cornaby is ramping up his training schedule, spending 60 hours or more a week in the shop practicing his welds.

“I want to be the most prepared I’ve ever been,” Cornaby said. “This time, I want to leave no doubt.”

Welch and other USU Eastern welding instructors, including Jeremiah Garcia and Jake Clement, are there every step of the way, providing guidance, support and hands-on coaching to ensure Cornaby is fully prepared.

“The process is brutal,” Welch said. “It’s seven or eight months of grueling, high-level training. But he’s ready for it. This is a long game, and Ben understands that better than anyone.”

One reason the USU Eastern welding program is so successful is the culture of mentorship and support throughout the years. Past competitors pass down their knowledge and experience to help the next generation of welders. Cornaby has benefited from Hansen, Vincent, Jordan Packer and other outstanding USU Eastern welding alumni.

Cornaby has already committed to continuing that legacy of mentorship.

“I’d love to be that person for the next competitor,” Cornaby said. “I don’t keep secrets. If someone has a question about competing, the trials, welding school, anything, I’ll share what I know.”

Winning this competition could open many doors for Cornaby in the professional world, but just participating is helping him become an elite welder.

“It’s not just about the medal, it’s about what they become in the process,” Welch said. “My priority is not necessarily to win welding contests. It’s to help students reach their full potential and conclude their journey without regrets.”

After WorldSkills, Cornaby plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in welding engineering at Weber State or another institution. He also hopes to serve a two-year mission for his church before starting his next chapter in education and career.

Click here to learn more about welding technology and other technical skill associate degrees and certificates at USU Eastern and USU campuses in Moab and Blanding.