Jashun Paluru, speller 74, is the first one eliminated, on "vasopressin." The word is from a trademark.
Before the finals, the Indiana sixth grader said he was really excited, but also kind of nervous.
"I hope not to get out immediately, but I probably will," he said. "I'm pretty sure I just got lucky with the words I got."
Jashun said his only expectation was to make it to the semifinals, so he's glad he got as far as he did.
