By Sheri McWhirter
TRAVERSE CITY — An Antrim County student won the Grand Traverse Region Spelling Bee and a trip to the country’s capital to participate in the national competition.
Austin Wolfgram, 13, of Cherryland Middle School in Elk Rapids, won the regional bee Sunday with the word “meloplasty,” following a lengthy back-and-forth battle with Nicole Blakkan-Esser, 11, of West Middle School in Traverse City.
“M-E-L-O-P-L-A-S-T-Y,” Austin said, and then a wide grin spread across his face when a look from the judges told him he’d won.
Nicole previously stumbled on “coriander,” misplacing the “i” with an “e.” She took second place.
“It feels pretty awesome. I get to go to Washington, D.C.,” Austin said.
Austin beat 29 other middle school students during the regional bee on the stage at the City Opera House in downtown Traverse City. Students came from across northwestern Lower Michigan, including Antrim, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, Emmet, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties.
Austin will represent the region in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. in early June.
“I’m very proud,” said Vern Wolfgram, Austin’s father. “I’m impressed with his perseverance.”
Canyon O’Brien, 13, of Grand Traverse Academy in Traverse City, took third place.
