CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. -- A Coral Springs middle school student was among 41 kids participating in the Scripps National Spelling Bee semifinals in Washington, D.C. Thursday.

Of the record 293 participants at 82nd Scripps National Spelling Bee, only 41 moved on to the nationally televised semifinals that start Thursday morning, and Vincent Medina of Ramblewood Middle School was among them.

Medina, who is a second time competitor, already spelled "pigeon" and "octogenary" correctly. However, on Thursday, he misspelled the word "sievert," taking him out of the competition.

Last year, he came in 25th place.

Written test scores were combined with the oral rounds Wednesday to determine the semifinalists. A dozen or so spellers will complete in the finals in prime time Thursday for a trophy that comes with more than $40,000 in cash and prizes.

Expected to be in that final group are several returning favorites. Fourteen-year-old Keiko Bridwell of Duncan, S.C., back for the fourth time after tying for 17th last year, had no problem with "swivel" and "mahout" (one who keeps or drives elephants) in her oral rounds and breezed into the semifinals.

The finals will air on Local 10 starting at 8 p.m.