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Peyton Hall eliminated from National Spelling Bee

WASHINGTON – The winner of the 34th annual Marietta Times Regional Spelling Bee did not advance to semifinal competition Wednesday at the 2014 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

River Elementary eighth-grader Peyton Hall, 14, spelled his preliminary round two and round three words correctly but his combined vocabulary test scores did not allow him to make the cut of 46 semifinalists that will compete live on ESPN today.

Hall of Sardis, Ohio, could not be reached for comment Wednesday after the conclusion of the day’s competition.

To qualify for semifinals, spellers must correctly spell two words and define two other words to combine with the round one spelling and vocabulary computer test, which comprises 50 percent of the speller’s total score.

Hall correctly spelled “efficacy” and defined “allegro” in round two and correctly spelled “rorqual” and defined “decimate” in round three.

The preliminary computer test is what also prevented 2013 and 2012 Marietta champion Iram Kingson of Williamstown from advancing to national semifinals.

The 2014 preliminary computer test required spellers to correctly spell 12 words and correctly define 12 others, including words like “abrogate,” “manifold” and “vicissitude.”

Semifinal competition begins at 8 a.m. today on ESPN2, with the finals rounds airing at 8 p.m. today on ESPN.

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