The Scripps National Spelling Bee came to an end last night were eight co-winners were crowned champion.
After the 17th round Jacques Bailly, the event’s pronouncer, addressed the spellers and the nation that any of the eight remaining contestants who made it through three more rounds would share the prize and title of champion.
It wasn't until after the competition that it was revealed the competition was running out of challenging words.
The champions were:
Rishik Gandhasri, 13, of San Jose, Calif.
Erin Howard, 14, of Huntsville, Ala.
Saketh Sundar, 13, of Clarksville, Md.
Shruthika Padhy, 13, of Cherry Hill, N.J.
Sohum Sukhatankar, 13, of Dallas, TX.
Abhijay Kodali, 12, of Flower Mound, TX.
Christopher Serrao, 13, of Whitehouse Station, N.J.
Rohan Raja, 13, of Irving, TX.
The competition normally offers a $50,000 prize to the champion. Instead of splitting it eight ways, all eight contestants will receive $50,000 and their own trophy.