Like two prizefighters, eighth-graders Philip Bretz and Malia Smith went toe-to-toe for 13 rounds in last night's Windward District Spelling Bee.

In the end, Bretz correctly spelled "kestrel" to capture the crown as district spelling bee champ. The 13-year-old from Trinity Christian School is the son of Chris and Bella Bretz of Kailua.

A kestrel is a type of European falcon.

Finishing second was Smith, who also was the runner-up in last year's Windward Bee. Smith, a student at St. Anthony School and daughter of Tim and Blaise Smith, misspelled "geogenous" (growing on or in the ground), opening the door for Bretz.

The contest began with 18 students at Le Jardin Academy in Kailua and lasted 27 rounds. By the beginning of Round 15, however, only Bretz and Smith were left standing.

The two will represent the Windward District in the state spelling bee on March 15.

Spelling champions from 84 schools will compete in seven district spelling bees through February. The winner and runner-up from each district bee will qualify for The Honolulu Advertiser's 24th Hawai'i State Spelling Bee, set for March 15 at Windward Community College's Paliku Theatre.

The state champion will receive a trip for two to Washington, D.C., and represent Hawai'i in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.

The winner also will get a $100 U.S. savings bond from Jay Sugarman.

The national bee will award prizes ranging from $50 to $12,000.

Last night's event was the second of seven district spelling bees statewide.

On Jan. 29, Alyssa Medd of Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School won the Kaua'i District bee. Charlie Kahepuu of Waimea Canyon School was the runner-up.

The next event is the Maui District bee at 6 p.m. tomorrow at 'Iao Intermediate School.