2 boys declared co-champions of National Spelling Bee; first time in 52 years

5/29/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Spelling-Bee-60

    Maria Kaltchenko of Tupelo, Miss., smiles after spelling the word "pointelle" correctly during the semifinal round of the National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 29, 2014, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    • OXON HILL, Md. — For the first time in 52 years, two spellers have been declared co-champions of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

    Sriram Hathwar of Painted Post, New York, and Ansun Sujoe of Fort Worth, Texas, shared the title after a riveting final-round duel Thursday night in which they nearly exhausted the 25 designated championship words. After they spelled a dozen words correctly in a row, they both were named champions.