This story originally appeared on RealTime/STL.
Chesterfield seventh grader Gokul Venkatachalam, 13, finished in third place Thursday night in the National Spelling Bee. The word that tripped up Gokul: Kierkegaardian. Several St. Louisans congratulated the teen via social media.
Top 3 for #TeamGokul. Good job, kid!
— Tony Messenger (@tonymess) May 30, 2014
Gokul is trending on twitter.. we love you!! #ScrippsNationalSpellingBee #SpellingBeeLiveTweeting
— Sandhya:) (@xosandhya) May 30, 2014
Gokul you are true champion in my book. Inspiring performance out there.
— Marcus Jay (@MjayL24) May 30, 2014
You are amazing #Gokul !! Likely 3rd Place in the National Spelling Bee. @ParkwaySchools
— Jane Dueker (@JaneDueker) May 30, 2014
Amazing job Gokul! You did amazing!
— Cameron Neisler (@cdneisler) May 30, 2014
My only wish in life is that I'm as cool as Gokul Venkatachalam one day.. #ScrippsNationalSpellingBee
— Carrie Inabinette (@cinabinette) May 30, 2014