Times’ spelling champion ousted
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With the top 75 spellers from the Bahamas, to New York, the regional winner of The Marietta Times spelling bee was ousted from national competition Tuesday in Round Four.
Arenicolous, an adjective meaning living, burrowing or growing in sand, saw the conclusion of Speller #79's bid for the title of this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee.
"I've never heard of that word," reflected Nathan McElroy, 11, of Whipple, after hearing that final ding of disqualification.
Before the competition kicked off, he was asked once again Tuesday to recite the integrity pledge required of competitors.
"I am honest to myself," he repeated. "I am fair to my fellow competitors. On my honor, I will never give or receive any help during this virtual spelling bee."
Leading up to his turn, McElroy again stayed collected, with headphones on and watching the screen as spellers who qualified from the preliminaries Saturday, spelled ahead of his turn.
Words ahead of McElroy's included:
¯ Hemiola.
¯ Demersal.
¯ Nasopharyngeal.
¯ Sherryvailles.
¯ Inunctum.
¯ Asseveration.
¯ Testaceous.
¯ Sfumato.
¯ Loonie.
¯ Ranula.
¯ Exfoliant.
¯ Euphuism.
¯ Clement.
¯ Plumbago.
¯ Basque.
¯ Billeted.
¯ Pluviography.
¯ Shinto.
¯ Hygrometer.
¯ Hyperpyrexia.
¯ Cardoon.
Then, as his turn drew near, McElroy heard the prompting of the on boarding crew from Ross Production Services and his breathing slowed for the final two turns ahead of his.
Showtime.
Arenicolous is read to him, with no visual clues, just the faces of judges on screen.
McElroy asked for the definition and all information concerning the word including origin (Latin) and part of speech.
According to Merriam Webster, the first known use of the word was in 1832, and originates from the Latin "harena" meaning sand and "colere" meaning to inhabit.
"It's a word you'll never forget now," smiled his mother, Beth, letting her son know she was proud of him.
McElroy was one of the youngest competitors from Ohio to make it to the quarterfinals and said Tuesday he's motivated to return again next year.
For those still wishing to watch and study the national competition, semifinals are scheduled to air at 7 p.m. Sunday on ESPN 2.
Finals are scheduled then to see between 10 and 12 spellers move on to in-person competition in Florida on July 8, with broadcast again on ESPN 2 at 8 p.m.
Janelle Patterson may be reached at jpatterson@mariettatimes.com.