For the first time in history, eight elite spellers were named champions in the Scripps National Spelling Bee finals. Co-champions had been named for the past three years, but by 12:05 a.m. Friday, it had been an hour since any of the eight students had incorrectly spelled a word.
The words they were given in the marathon final round would trip up many adults. Spellers in the annual Spelling Bee, which has been going on for 90 years, say they’re not only competing against each other, but also against the dictionary — something that’s “never been more apparent,” Scripps noted in a news release.
Official Bee pronouncer Jacques A. Bailly, a 1980 national champion, said the dictionary was no match for these whiz kids.
“Champion spellers, we are in uncharted territory,” he said. “We have plenty of words remaining on our list, but will soon run out of words that can possibly challenge you — the most phenomenal assemblage of spellers in the history of this storied competition. We have thrown the dictionary at you, and so far, you’ve shown the dictionary who’s boss.”
Here are the words they correctly spelled for the right to collectively hoist the trophy:
Rishik Gandhasri, a 13-year-old seventh-grader from San Jose, California, correctly spelled “auslaut.”
Erin Howard, a 14-year-old eighth-grader from Huntsville, Alabama, correctly spelled “erysipelas.”
Saketh Sundar, a 13-year-old eighth-grader from Clarksville, Maryland, correctly spelled “bougainvillea.”
Shruthika Padhy, a 13-year-old eighth-grader from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, correctly spelled “aiguillette.”
Sohum Sukhatankar, a 13-year-old seventh-grader from Dallas, Texas, correctly spelled “pendeloque.”
Christopher Serrao, a 12-year-old seventh-grader from Whitehouse, New Jersey, correctly spelled “cernuous.”
Abhijay Kodali, a 12-year-old sixth-grader from Flower Mound, Texas, correctly spelled “palama.”
Rohan Raja, a 13-year-old seventh-grader from Irving, Texas, correctly spelled “odylic.”
The eight co-champions were supportive of one another as the competition heated up.
Waiting for her final word was nerve-wracking for Erin. “It was terrible,” she said. “I really didn’t want to be the one who didn’t make it to champion.”
There were a few words the champion spellers didn’t know, and they worried one of them might come up in the final round.
At a news conference afterward, the students were met with applause.
“It’s amazing,” said Abhijay, who finished last year in third place. “It’s beyond words. I’m speechless. … I was excited, pressured and worried.”
Rishik suggested the Spelling Bee could add more vocabulary questions, which he called “a huge killer,” in future competitions to avoid a tie.
Many of the students said they’re ready for a long nap.
“I’m going to hide in my room and never come out because this is a lot of talking to people, which is new to me,” Erin said.
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