A Southern California eighth-grader’s impressive run at the Scripps National Spelling Bee came to an end Thursday when the word “lochage,” a rare ancient Greek military term, knocked him out of the competition’s seventh round.
Benjamin Reinhard, a 14-year-old student at Maranatha Christian School in 4S Ranch, narrowly missed the mark by spelling the word with a “K” instead of an “H,” according to KPBS.
The Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary defines “lochage” as the commander of a lochus, a small division of an ancient Greek army comprising about 100 to 200 men.
Benjamin was one of 24 spellers eliminated in that round, reducing the field from 54 to 30 contestants and tying him for 31st place.
The San Diego-area student made it that far after navigating several rounds of difficult spelling and vocabulary challenges.
Before the quarterfinals, he and the other contestants took a 30-question spelling and vocabulary test.
Officials stated spellers needed at least 13 points to advance, a hurdle that reduced the field from 167 contestants to 95.
During Wednesday’s quarterfinals at Constitution Hall, Benjamin correctly spelled “vamplate” and nailed a vocabulary question by identifying “fastidious” as someone who “has a meticulous, demanding attitude.”
He then advanced to the semifinals by correctly spelling “Wesleyanism,” the system of Arminian Methodism taught by John Wesley.
This was the 14-year-old’s only opportunity to compete in the national bee, as eligibility is limited to students in eighth grade or below.
Benjamin originally qualified by winning the San Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee in March, clinching the regional title in the 23rd round by correctly spelling “kenosis”—the relinquishment of divine attributes by Jesus Christ in becoming human.
While his national run has come to an end, the celebration continues at home, as Maranatha Christian School holds its eighth-grade promotion ceremony this Thursday.