The love of words is one cherished ... cannot have reached their 15th birthday or passed beyond the eighth grade (or an international equivalent) on or before Aug. 31, 2024.

Spellers may not be older than 15 or past the eighth grade, and former champions may not compete again. The champion gets $50,000 cash, a commemorative medal, and the Scripps Cup championship trophy.

"I can't really put it into words. ... It's unbelievable," Watson, who will be joining Brighton in the summer, told Sky Sports postmatch. "We'll see each other next year in the Premier League ...

Spellers may not be older than 15 or past the eighth grade, and former champions may not compete again. The champion gets $50,000 cash, a commemorative medal, and the Scripps Cup championship trophy.