Iola Middle School seventh-grader Clara Wicoff took another step in local spelling history by winning the IMS Spelling Bee Wednesday.
Winning earns Wicoff, daughter of Iolans Joel and Lisa Wicoff, a chance at winning her fourth straight Allen County Spelling Bee on Feb. 2.
Wicoff defeated 17 other competitors, including second-place finisher Clarie Moran, who was felled by “abracadabra.” Placing third was Ankit Gandhi, who was done in with “raspberry.” Judd Wiltse, in fourth-place, misspelled “solicit.”
Each of the top three finishers will represent IMS at the county bee. Wiltse will serve as an alternate in case any of the other three cannot compete.
Wicoff takes school crown
