Ankeny teen competing in Scripps National Spelling Bee

For 14-year-old Caleb DeVan, his favorite word he's learned while studying for spelling bees is "sardoodledom," which refers to stories or plots with mechanically contrived cliches.

Why it matters: Today, the Ankeny teen's ability to spell sardoodledom and many others will help him compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, along with Malayna Eichwald, an 11-year-old from Davenport.

• 247 kids are competing in the preliminaries, followed by quarterfinals and semifinals Wednesday, and then Thursday's finals.
• The champion will take home a trophy, a medal, and $52,500 in cash.

How it started: DeVan, a student at Ankeny Southview Middle School, was always a big reader growing up, but he discovered his knack for spelling when he entered his school's spelling bee last December.

• He tied with another student, prompting a "spell off." DeVan won with "cajolery."
• He advanced to a statewide competition at Living History Farms in March. To study for it, he spent all his free time studying Scripps' 2,000-word list and its etymologies. He won with "jackal."

State of play: Since then, DeVan has studied Scripps' 4,000-word "Words of the Champions" book and spent so much time practicing that he can't even measure the hours.

• And beyond the spelling bee, he's also been involved with mock trial, basketball, jazz band, choir concerts and quiz bowl.

What they're saying: The thing he's most excited for this week?

• "The free hotel."

How to watch: Preliminary and quarterfinal rounds air on Scripps Sports Network.

• Semifinals and finals will air on Ion May 27–28.