Surya Kapu places 3rd in Scripps US National Spelling Bee

This year marked Surya Kapu’s last year of eligibility, and he was trying to make history and become Utah’s first champion.

Although he didn’t win, Surya earned a hearty standing ovation at the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The 14-year-old (Father's native Jammulapalem near Bapatla - AP/India) who attends American Preparatory Academy in Draper, was the only finalist from 2022 to make the finals again this year, The New York Times reported. This year marked his last year of eligibility, and he was trying to make history and become Utah’s first champion.

It didn’t happen — but he got really close.

As a third-place finisher, Surya walked away with $12,500, according to USA Today.

Per Axios, words that Kapu spelled correctly during the finals included:

Tenebrous.

Nunnari.

Haysel.

Bloemfontein.

Surya, who was just one of two returning finalists from last year, finished two spots higher than his 2022 appearance. In that contest, the teenager placed fifth after becoming “one of the few contestants ever to successfully challenge their elimination,” Axios reported.