Noah Couch on to third round at Scripps National Spelling Bee

Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Looking chilled-out even under pressure, South Putnam Middle School student Noah Couch correctly spells geniture in the second round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee Tuesday.
Courtesy Scripps National Spelling Bee

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Most adults probably don’t even know what “geniture” means.

For South Putnam Middle School student Noah Couch, the meaning (which is nativity or birth) wasn’t so important on Tuesday. It was the spelling.

With those eight letters — G-E-N-I-T-U-R-E — the 12-year-old moved on to the third round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Although it was the second round, it was Couch’s first taste of the spotlight since winning the Tribune-Star Wabash Valley Spelling Bee in March.

Monday’s first round was a written test taken by all 562 spellers, all of whom also appeared on Tuesday.

Couch found the lights in Washington to be a little brighter, telling the Tribune-Star on Tuesday he was glad to “get out of the spotlight.”

“I barely remember it. It was kind of a blur,” he told the Terre Haute newspaper.

Couch just completed sixth grade.

Father Nathan told the Banner Graphic Noah was due to spell early on Wednesday in round three action, which actually began late Tuesday.

“He has had a great time experiencing the competition and exploring D.C.,” Nathan said.

The entire Couch family — Nathan, mother Laura, Noah and two younger siblings — are getting the opportunity to explore the nation’s capital.

Like Tuesday’s action, Wednesday’s third round is available only streaming either on ESPN3 or the ESPN app. The action is live from 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

For the finals on Thursday, the event moves to cable and satellite TV on ESPN2 and ESPNU, as well as the ESPN app.

Noah’s appearance under those even brighter lights will depend on him spelling another word correctly on Wednesday, as well as how he did on Monday’s written exam.

The top 50 advance to the finals, which will be on television from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and again from 8:30-10:30 p.m.

Comments
View 7 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • Great job, Noah!

    -- Posted by dmcdermit1 on Tue, May 28, 2019, at 10:35 PM
  • Congratulations, young man, as you continue your amazing journey! No matter what happens, you have experienced something very few have. Enjoy your success!!

    -- Posted by your mom on Wed, May 29, 2019, at 3:34 AM
  • Wow. Fantastic job Noah

    -- Posted by Nit on Wed, May 29, 2019, at 7:54 AM
  • Great job, young man! Good luck and just enjoy the ride- no matter how far it goes you are making our county proud!

    -- Posted by small town fan on Wed, May 29, 2019, at 8:11 AM
  • This doesn’t surprise me, I knew you would do great things. Have fun!

    -- Posted by bglaze on Wed, May 29, 2019, at 8:47 AM
  • We are all so proud of you! Way to represent Putnam County!

    -- Posted by very.interesting on Wed, May 29, 2019, at 1:50 PM
  • Great experience for a fine young man

    -- Posted by beg on Thu, May 30, 2019, at 8:08 AM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: