Yes, This Year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee Was Too Easy for Its Winners — All Eight of Them

(OXON HILL, Md.) — There were warning signs throughout a marathon day of spelling that this Scripps National Spelling Bee would not conclude like any other in the event's 94-year history.

Rishik Gandharsi sensed it as he stepped to the microphone for the ninth round of Thursday night's prime-time finals, when he was one of eight spellers remaining onstage. "Just out of curiosity," Rishik asked pronouncer Jacques Bailly, "do you happen to know what time it is?"

It was 11:18 p.m.

(OXON HILL, Md.) — There were warning signs throughout a marathon day of spelling that this Scripps National Spelling Bee would not conclude like any other in the event's 94-year history. Rishik Gandharsi sensed it as he stepped to the microphone for the ninth round of Thursday night's prime-time finals, when he was one of eight spellers remaining onstage. "Just out of curiosity," Rishik asked pronouncer Jacques Bailly, "do you happen to know what time it is?" It was 11:18 p.m.