'Fanfaronade' Brings Down Hopeful Spelling Champ

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An Annapolis eighth-grader who loves sports, especially the Wimbledon tennis tournament, and Bruce Springsteen, has failed to advance to the semifinals of the 2015 Scripps National Spelling Bee Championship.

The preliminary rounds began Tuesday at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, and the continues wraps up Thursday night.

William John Phillips Rogers, 14, a student at St. Mary’s Elementary School in Annapolis, was among the contestants. His sponsor was Anne Arundel County Public Schools.

Rogers incorrectly spelled the word “fanfaronade,” which means empty boasting.

His profile on the spelling bee website says: “William turns on ESPN’sSportsCenter if he’s watching television because he loves sports — playing them, watching them and keeping up with all of the latest events. … In addition to sports, William enjoys playing the Jeopardy! video game and listening to Bruce Springsteen.”

The championship round will be held Thursday evening. ESPN will broadcast the finals lives starting at 8 p.m. ET.

»Photo of William John Phillips Rogers of Annapolis, courtesy of Mark Bowen/Scripps National Spelling Bee