Top finalists in the 2009 AARP National Spelling Bee in order of placement, with age, hometown, and number of rounds completed.

1. Michael Petrina Jr., 64, Arlington, Va.
2. Scott Firebaugh, 55, Knoxville, Tenn. (Round 46)
3. Gil Couts, 66, Bigfork, Mont. (Round 16)
4. Marlene Harry, 57, Brownsburg, Ind. (Round 13)
5. Deborah George, 56, Livermore, Colo. (Round 11)
6. Dr. Norman Zucker, 62, Sebastopol, Calif. (Round 10)
7. Joan Saxton, 67, Sausalito, Calif. (Round 8)
7. Carolyn Dickmann, 65, Richmond Heights, Mo. (Round 8)
8. Kate Karp, 60, Long Beach, Calif. (Round 7)
8. Dr. Kent Stockton, 67, Riverton, WY (Round 7)
8. Joseph Dickmann, 65, Richmond Heights, Mo. (Round 7)
8. Mary DeForest, 62, Denver, Colo. (Round 7)
9. James Sherry, 57, Troy, Ala. (Round 6)
10. Ed Dorschel, 60, Enumclaw, Wash. (Round 5)
10. Lucy Morales, 57, Washington, D.C. (Round 5)
10. Kathryn Pulver, 51, New York, N.Y. (Round 5)