In O.T. for a K.C. Bee, a speller finally got the W. On to D.C.!
Yes, the Jackson County Spelling Bee in Kansas City was ultimately won after almost eighty rounds of head-to-head spelling. Officials had to suspend the competition when they ran out of words for the two finalists. (Via Kansas City Library)
Kush Sharma and Sophia Hoffman's initial faceoff took 47 rounds before event coordinators called for a time-out when they were forced to turn to the dictionary for new words. Head Judge Kaite Stover thinks they could've kept spelling.
"I think myself and the two spellers, we could've gone all day long spelling and the other grown-ups were fading," Stover said. (Via KMBC)
On Saturday, after fifth grader Hoffman tripped on "stifling" seventh grader Sharma aced the word "definition" for the win and a trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C.
According to The Kansas City Star, previous words in the face-off included "scherzo" and "bobbejaan." And when the end finally came, spectators and judges couldn't help but get emotional.
Event coordinator Mary Olive Thompson told NBC, "We've all gotten to know Kush and Sophia. My eyes got a little watery. It was heartbreaking for all the judges."
And for Sharma and Hoffman, the marathon bee forged a growing friendship. Sharma told KCUR there would be no hard feelings. "I don't think we see it as I beat her or she beats me. I think it's like the word beat me."
The final bout took just 29 rounds, but even then, according to NBC, most bees last only 20 rounds. Since their memorable impasse, both spellers have appeared on CNN and "Good Morning America" to show off their skills.
GMA HOSTJOSH ELLIOT: "Kush, please spell 'intaglio.'"
SHARMA: "Intaglio. Is the language of origin Italian?"
ELLIOT: "It probably is, yes."
SHARMA: "I'm going to take that as a yes." (Via ABC)
Despite the loss, Hoffman says she'll return for next year's bee. We think a friendly rematch would be A-OK.
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