America's Best winners hail from Oklahoma, Colorado

Casey Middleton of Oklahoma placed first in the school bus inspector category.

SEATTLE — School bus technicians and inspectors convened here last week to test their skills in the annual America's Best competition.

Casey Middleton of Oklahoma placed first in the school bus inspector category, while Patrick Maloney of Colorado took the top spot in the technician category.

This year's event, held Sept. 24-27, was the 10th edition of America's Best. The Washington Association for Pupil Transportation and PACCAR hosted.

To view a variety of shots from the event, see our photo gallery.

Marshall Casey, one of the America's Best organizers, said that there were 31 participants representing 19 states.

The national event includes separate competitions for technicians and inspectors, each with a written exam and a hands-on portion. Participants also attend training seminars and tour host facilities.

Here are the 2013 top competitors:

Inspectors
1. Casey Middleton, Tulsa (Okla.) Public Schools
2. Bryce Ivie, Utah Highway Patrol
3. Ryan Texer, Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, Fountain, Colo.

Technicians
1. Patrick Maloney, Douglas County School District, Castle Rock, Colo.
2. Jon Studivant, Ozark (Ark.) Public Schools
3. Bill Alsko, Hopewell (Va.) Public Schools

For more information on America's Best, go to www.americasbesttech.org.