The top adolescent spellers from McLean and DeWitt counties met for bees Thursday - proving spelling can be part art, science and spectator sport.

Some struck out at first bat. Others sat on folding chairs, nervously swinging feet until they'd take one or several more chances at the microphone before falling out of the race.

Still others matched wits to the end, finding crowds hanging to every word in a lengthy verbal volley.

Coming out on top at their respective bees, were Prathyusha Chengi of Bloomington Junior High School and Melinda Mathews of Clinton Junior High School.

The county winners advance to the March 17 Pantagraph Grand Final Spelling Bee, co-sponsored by Busey Bank, as will 14 runners-up from McLean County and one from DeWitt County. They will face the top fourth- through eighth-grade spellers from bees for Logan and Livingston counties and the Crossroads Area Home School Association.

The number who advance is based on each county's fourth- to eighth-grade populations, said John Murphy, Pantagraph readership development manager.

The Grand Final winner will move to the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee in May in Washington, D.C., he said.

"I was just happy getting this far, and I made some friends today," said McLean County winner Prathyusha (pronounced Prah-yusha) when asked about any dreams of national championship.

The McLean County bee started at 9:30 a.m. and lasted more than two hours. Prathyusha and Michael Billington, an Ephiphany Grade School fifth-grader, competed in a 15-round face-off that came on the heels of 14 previous rounds that gradually eliminated 41 other contestants.

The pair's style, though night and day, seemed to work for each student: Michael would stand in front of the mike, hands clasped, methodically delivering each letter. Prathyusha used one hand to hold the stand, and then each word rushed out like water.

Round 25 gave dramatic pause. Michael misspelled "souvenir," and was stepping off stage, assuming he lost, only to hear Prathyusha spell "vagabond" incorrectly.

The pair returned for another four rounds before "premonition" tripped Michael.

Prathyusha then stood at the microphone, spelling "conscience" in her quick-off-the-tongue style. She needed one more word to capture the trophy. And with arms crossed, rattled off "M-A-L-I-C-I-O-U-S."

The crowd applauded, and Prathyusha broke into a smile.

Her parents, Jayasree and Ramana Chengi, and fourth-grade sister Aishwarya Chengi gave her hugs. Prathyusha showed off her grandparents visiting from southern India - Ramakrishna and Aruna Devalala.

"It's because of their help studying that I'm here," she said, explaining how the grandparents encouraged her and practiced with her during the last few weeks.

DeWitt County bee

At 1:30 p.m., 11 students took seats in a DeWitt County courtroom filled with onlookers.

Clinton's Melinda Mathews held on the longest, spelling such words as "topography" and "sequin" before capturing the win, fittingly, with "formidable."

Nick Lindsey, a Blue Ridge Junior High School seventh-grader was lighthearted as he bowed out on "protagonist."

"P-R-O-T-A-G-I - Did I just say "I?'" he asked the judging panel. After a pause, he smiled and shrugged, "well, I'm wrong."

"I knew that one - I was in a play," Nick said later of the term used for a drama's main character.

Melinda's parents, April and Monte Mathews, and fifth-grade sister Denise waited patiently as media interviewed the girl, before congratulating her.

The sixth-grader said she approached Thursday's event with a certain amount of confidence, because she'd been practicing.

"We tell her 'just do your best and have a good time. You can know all the words and still miss one,' so don't put too much pressure on yourself," said April Mathews.

Prathyusha and Melinda, winners of their respective county bees, each took home a trophy for their win. They'll also have their name engraved on their counties' traveling trophies, which are displayed at the winner's schools, until next year's bees.

Each runner-up received a $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble Booksellers.