Sriram Hathwar and Ansun Sujoe are your co-National Spelling Bee champions after the first tie in 52 years and only the fourth in event history.
The youngsters correctly spelled so many words Thursday on ESPN that the Scripps National Spelling Bee had to declare them both winners.
The reason it was called a draw is simple, yet a bit head-scratching: There weren't enough words left on the competition's list to keep it going.
Yes, they were LITERALLY at a loss for words.
In the final round, Hathwar, a 14-year-old eighth-grader from Painted Post, N.Y., spelled "stichomythia," a dialogue of altercation delivered by two actors.
We totally knew that word. Without a doubt.
Sujoe, a 13-year-old seventh-grader from Fort Worth, Tex., answered by nailing the word "feuilleton," part of a European newspaper. The end.
"I think we both know that the competition was against the dictionary, not against each other," Hathwar said on ESPN after earning the co-title.
"I am happy to share this trophy with him."
The two quickly garnered national praise.
President Obama tweeted late last night: "Congrats to Ansun and Sriram, the incredible co-champs of the #ScrippsNationalSpellingBee. You make us all proud! -bo"
In 2014's national championship, 281 spellers from eight countries competed for the title. The contest began Tuesday and finished up Thursday night.
Sujoe told ESPN that he got hooked on the bee by watching it on television. In addition to spelling, he has perfect pitch and plays piano, bassoon and guitar.
Hathwar, who placed third last year and first made it to the National Spelling Bee as a second-grader in 2008, was a favorite to win this year's contest.
Congrats to both deserving champs!
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