NEPA teams at Odyssey of the Mind World Finals 2026
May 28-30, 2026
Iowa State University – Ames, IA
Problem 1- Off the Rails
Div II
Pocono Mt East Jr HS – 5th place
Delaware Valley MS – 27th place
Div III
Delaware Valley HS – 12th place
Problem 2– Lost in OMERland
Div I
Delaware Valley ES – 2nd place (tie)
Div II
Delaware Valley MS – 12th place
Dingman Delaware MS – 27th place (tie)
Div III
Delaware Valley HS – 3rd place!
Problem 3- Classics… The Epic Quest
Div II
Pocono Mt East Jr HS – 28th place (tie)
Problem 4- Life’s a Ball!
Div I
Delaware Valley ES – 6th place!
Div II
Delaware Valley MS – 3rd place (tie)
Div III
Delaware Valley HS – 18th place and OMER’s Award!
Just one practice before departing for World Finals, this team faced an extraordinary challenge when a key teammate, Beau, suffered a serious injury after being caught in a crowd that stormed the field at a baseball game, resulting in a punctured kidney. Unable to attend, Beau left a pivotal role in the team’s skit suddenly vacant, giving them only one day to make major changes. Despite the setback, the team rallied together. They honored Beau throughout their journey and performance, finding meaningful ways to include him even in his absence. Their resilience, teamwork, and determination were on full display as they delivered an outstanding performance on the World Finals stage. For overcoming adversity with remarkable perseverance and heart, this team is truly deserving of this award.
Problem 5- Taller Tales of John Jivery
Div II
Pocono Mountain East Jr HS – 1st place and Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award!
This earth-shattering performance blew our minds and brought the seasons to life. This team spun a tale – and the earth – to tell how the seasons came to be. The judges felt as if they were transformed into peasants sitting in the royal court of spring, summer, winter, and fall. When Axis crashed into earth, chaos broke loose. Each season was presented by a royal member of the court through original songs, themes, and weather events to represent the differences between them and the forms of chaos they bring. After weather effects shown through a working snow globe and a love story with the moon, Axis finally saved the world by making room for all the seasons to coexist. This team transported the whole audience to a fairytale climate. Broadway extended all the way to Ames this weekend.
Dingman Delaware MS – 6th place! (tie)
Full scores from World Finals 2026…