WASHINGTON, D.C. — All five West Virginia spellers are no longer in the Scripps National Spelling Bee Competition.
The third preliminary round wrapped up Wednesday evening at the Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center, near Washington, D.C. where 45 out of 284 spellers were told they would advance to the finals.
Andrew Gould, 14, of Gould Home School, in Weston, and Lucas Mooney, 12, of St. James Homeschoolers in Charles Town,were the final two West Virginia spellers to remain in the competition until the finalists were announced.
Katie Mills, 13, of Raleigh Educational Association of Christian Homeschoolers in Daniels, Asritha S. Sure, 13, of Suncrest Middle School in Morgantown and Mariana Linda AlKhouri, 10, of St. Vincent de Paul Parish School in Wheeling also competed in the prelims.
The final rounds are Thursday at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. The competition will be broadcasted live on ESPN3.