After placing third at the Division III Regional Competition, the Odyssey of the Mind team will be unable to attend the state competition at the University of Central Florida next month. The team originally had seven members, but after the regional competition four members could no longer participate so the team can’t advance.

“I’m kind of upset because out of all the members I think I worked the hardest,” freshman Ana Rexach said. “I wrote the script, made the backdrops and organized the costumes and now we aren’t even using any of it.”

According to the coach, time also became a factor.

“We really only had about a month to prepare for the state competition and with only three members we just couldn’t go,” Coach Ellie Rexach said. “I know it’s a disappointment to some of them because of how hard they worked, but there is always next year.”

The team will be trying to advertise through the school to recruit more members and hopes to have two teams next year.

“I’m very proud of the team because winning third at regional’s was a big accomplishment.” Coach Rexach said. “We are really striving to get new people to join and have more people so we can do more competitions.”

By Brooke Robertson