West Fargo student ties for second at national spelling bee

A 13-year-old from West Fargo is among the top spellers in the nation.

Shantanu Srivatsa, the state spelling bee winner from North Dakota, tied for second with two other competitors at the 83rd National Spelling Bee on primetime television from Washington, D.C., tonight.

Shantanu correctly spelled "infundibuliform" in the first round of the night to move forward with four other competitors.

In the next round, Shantanu flubbed "ochidore," allowing Anamika Veeramani of Ohio to become the spelling bee champion.

The national bee started Wednesday with 273 spellers, with 48 making the semifinals. Ten spellers advanced to the championship finals.

For more on this story, read Saturday's Forum.