AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Dakota Jones, 14, from Las Vegas, is shown during the semifinals of the 2011 Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., Thursday, June 2, 2011.
Published Thursday, June 2, 2011 | 2 p.m.
Updated Thursday, June 2, 2011 | 9:53 p.m.
Las Vegas’ Dakota Jones was knocked out of the final round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee near Washington, D.C., with five spellers remaining.
The word that tripped up Jones was "zanja," an irrigation ditch. Jones spelled the word z-a-n-g-h-a.
Jones, a 14-year-old eighth-grader at Hyde Park Middle School, survived the first several rounds of competition.
The final round, which was shown live on ESPN, began at 5:30 p.m. with 13 contestants, including Dakota. It is the first time a Nevada speller has advanced to the final round.
Sukanya Roy, 14, of South Abington Township, Pa., went on to win the spelling bee and more than $40,000 in cash and prizes. Her winning word was "cymotrichous," which relates to wavy hair.
Laura Newcombe, 12, of Toronto was the runner-up.
The final five spellers couldn't be stumped through Rounds 11, 12, 13, 14 and into 15. When Jones finally missed to break the string, he received a standing ovation.
Here are the words he has spelled correctly:
1. Garibaldi
A style of blouse inspired by Giuseppe Garibaldi, a 19th century Italian military leader.
2. Recidivist
A criminal who relapses.
3. Whirlicote
An obsolete type of open car or chariot.
4. Espadon
A two-edged sword once used by Spanish foot soldiers and executioners.
5. Solenne
Used as a direction in music to denote a solemn mood.
6. Talmouse
A pastry shell with a cheese filling.
7. Andouille
A highly spiced smoked pork sausage.
8. Hexafoos
A three-toed triangular mark put on some Pennsylvania barns either to keep evil spirits from the cattle or for decoration.
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