TK OM coordinator Robin Walters said she believes this is record number of teams advancing to the state for the district. Last year, TK advanced eight teams to the State Finals and three to the World Finals.
This year's teams included one team from Lee Elementary, three teams from Page Elementary, five teams from the middle school and two teams from the high school.
Both high school teams will advance and both earned first-place ratings in their categories. One team is coached by Michelle Essenberg and Rebecca Hoskins with team members Aubrey Evans, Christel Hoskins, Kelly Gasser, Brendan Carlson, Michael Brown and Ellie Essenberg. The other high school team is coached by Barb Maring and Mary Chapman with team members Jacob Maring, Emma Chapman, Grace Densham, Zane Walters, Clair Jansma, Anna Miller and Wyatt Crampton.
There are five middle school teams advancing with two teams taking first place in their divisions and three teams taking second place in their divisions. The first place teams are coached by Melinda Robinett and Reagan Rabley with team members Shelby Robinett, Marian Gielincki, Billie DeWent, Whitney Ruger, Cash Rabley, Mallory Hagemann, Travis Barton. The other middle school team receiving a first-place rating is coached by Emily and Todd Lambert with team members Aleese Lambert, Keely Lambert, Cole Boysen, Mallory Syren, Graysen Stahle.
Three TKMS teams earned second placings and will advance to the state finals. Gina Ostien and Alison Fliearman coach one team with members Jonas Grummet, Emily Fliearman, Darby Nutt, Ava Myers, Margaret Richards, Jaelynn VanderSyde. Another team is coached by Jackilyn Schneider with team members Audrey Guikema, Shelby Madole, Masyn Hiemstra, Avrey Hicswa, Nancy Raab, Libby Hess, Emma Thompson. The final TKMS team advancing is coached by Travis Alden with team members Lee Marentette, Rachel Shoemaker, Sierra Morton, Zach Maring, Kate Baldry, Natalie Alden.
Three teams from Page Elementary will also represent the district at the state finals. Adam Baranek coaches the team that earned first place at regionals with team members Emma Reaser, Ellie Baranek, Katie Fliearman, Keeghan Simerly, Madalyn Eggers, Loganne Norton, Travis Grabemeyer.
The other two Page teams each received second place ratings at the regional event and will advance to the state finals. Nathan Fischer and Jessica Crampton coach the team made up of Ella Fischer, Charlotte Crampton, Mallory Rosenberg, Avery Hagemann, Jenna Robinett, Miles Chambers and Alex Evans. The other Page team is coached by Reghan Rabley and Kristi DeBoer with team members Oliver Lietz, Erik Cove, Gracen Rabley, Elise DeBoer, Israel Sherk, Carter Curtis, Luke Archer.
Lee Elementary's team coached by Kimberly Sager and Heather Long brought home a very good third place in their competitive regional contest but will not advance to the state finals. Team members are Anthony Sager Wissner, Karsyn Boersma, Natalie Bruce, Jackson Lambitz, Evan Muka, Collin Long.
And the future is bright for the TK OM program with two McFall teams competing in the primary level. Although they are eligible for the regional competition, they cannot advance to the state level. Team members in those two teams are Olivia Hedgecock, Sophia Weeks and Liam Orr making up one team. Morgan Ryan, Landon Lambitz, Jacob Long, Max Schneider and Sawyer Pelton made up the other primary team.
Congratulations to all of the TK Odyssey of the Mind teams and good luck to all at the state finals March 16!