Jashun Paluru, Speller 192 and an Indiana eighth grader is out -- leaving three Texans on stage.
Jashun finished in 10th place in 2016 and tied for 16th place last year.
“I just hope to win, as everyone else in the finals does,” Jashun said before the start of the finals.
Regardless, though, he said it feels good, knowing how far he's come.
“I did want to study more,” Jashun said. “I wanted to do better.”
Jashun said he's enjoyed playing “Truth or Dare” with other spellers. He always chooses “Dare.”
Jashun also likes playing video games and thinks he might want to be a doctor in the future.
