Morgan Lane becomes Saline's top speller at Harrisburg Middle School

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Morgan Lane of Eldorado won the Saline County Spelling Bee Monday at Harrisburg Middle School with the word "competitive."

After Hailey Tate of Galatia misspelled "subterranean," Lane spelled "apprentice" and "competitive" to win.

Following the match Lane said the only word in the 11-round competition that gave her pause was "successful."

Spelling talent seems to come naturally to Lane who admitted -- despite her parents' urging for practice -- she crammed for the competition.

"I practiced today. I crammed it all in," Lane said.

Lane said she plans to practice harder for the March 6 Tri-State Spelling Bee at North High School Performing Arts Center in Evansville, Ind. The winner of that bee advances to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Dempsey Hankins of Eldorado was competing in the state Beta Club Convention in Springfield and did not compete. Lane also was eligible for the Beta Club convention, but chose instead to spell. Becky Gregory of Galatia was ill.

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<li>DeNeal receives e-mail at bdeneal@yourclearwave.com.</li>

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