Odyssey of the Mind High School team from Montgomery High School will now go on to nationals after winning the state competition on Saturday in Swiftwater, PA. Winners are Zachary Masser, Brenna Bogden, Emily Winder, Megan Bryson, Michelle Steely, Colby Barton, and Ryan Kuntz.

MONTGOMERY – Held on Saturday at the Pocono Mountain East School District in Swiftwater, Montgomery students got to participate in the Statewide Odyssey of the Mind competition where they received awards.

This year’s competition was particularly difficult, according to Joe Weber, of the competition’s board.

In the problem solving division, “Tumble-wood” teams had to design a structure made of only balsa wood sticks and glue. Montgomery Area Elementary School received third place in this category. Montgomery Area High School team received first place in their division, with a structure that supported more than 950 pounds, according to Weber.

“The level of creativity is just amazing because those structures were entirely built out of only balsa wood sticks and glue,” Weber said.

With their coaches teams of students solve a variety of problems to score points. Each problem is scored individually, with the first, second, and third place team receiving awards. Teams which received first or second place awards will go on to compete in the competition’s national tournament, held at Michigan State University from May 22 to 25.