BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- The state spelling bee winner from North Dakota was among the 10 finalists at the 83rd National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., while the representative from South Dakota was ousted in the semifinals.
Shantanu Srivatsa (shan-TAN'-oh sir-VAHT'-sah) of West Fargo, N.D., and Sean Calhoun of Sioux Falls, S.D., both represented their states for the second consecutive year.
The national bee started with 273 spellers, with 48 making the semifinals. Thirty-eight were eliminated early Friday, including Calhoun, who was eliminated when he misspelled the word siffleur. Srivatsa moved on to Friday night's finals.
