Sreeniketh Vogoti, speller 167 is a Florida eighth grader.

He said he tries not to think of anything that makes him nervous – a good strategy.

“The only mantra I have is try not to miss a word,” he said. “Do the best you can, that’s the only goal.”

Sreeniketh is a fan of Rafael Nadal and Hank and John Green. Last year, he tied for seventh place.