Despite no misspellings on stage, Noah Couch out at Scripps National Spelling Bee

Thursday, May 30, 2019
South Putnam Middle School student Noah Couch calmly awaits his turn to spell in round three of the Scripps National Spelling Bee Wednesday in Washington. Despite correctly spelling “replenish,” Couch did not advance to Thursday’s final round.
Courtesy Nathan Couch

WASHINGTON, D.C. — By correctly spelling “replenish” Wednesday morning in the third round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, South Putnam Middle School student Noah Couch kept his hopes alive of advancing to the finals.

However, the family got the news that afternoon that Noah would not be one of the 50 finalists.

“After factoring all possible points, Noah did not make the top 50,” father Nathan Couch posted on Facebook. “He is disappointed but we are so proud.”

Those other “possible points” factor in the written test taken by all 560-plus spellers on Monday in round one.

The results of the test were not used to thin the field at that time, as everyone advanced to Tuesday’s second round.

Instead, once the second and third round were complete, with any spellers eliminated who had a misspelling on stage, the written test was used to determine the top 50.

As for what he did for the two rounds that were seen streaming on ESPN3, Couch performed as well as anyone, correctly spelling “geniture” on Tuesday and “replenish” on Wednesday.

The 12-year-old qualified for the national event by winning the Tribune-Star Wabash Valley Spelling Bee in March.

Nathan went on to thank the community for its support in the time since the win.

“We would like to thank you for all of the support he has been given over these last two months,” Nathan wrote. “We have certainly felt loved and recognize that we have a fantastic and large village. Much love to all of you.”

Besides Noah taking part in the spelling bee, the Couch family has spent the week taking in some of the sights Washington has to offer.

The finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee are taking place today, with the live telecast on ESPN2 beginning at 10 a.m.

Of the 50 finalists, just one hailed from the Hoosier State, Pranav Chandar of Newburgh, who won the Evansville Area Regional Spelling Bee.

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  • Congratulations on a job well done Noah. You are a winner in many many ways.

    -- Posted by Nit on Thu, May 30, 2019, at 4:47 PM
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