45th Scripps National Spelling Bee

45th Scripps National Spelling Bee
The Mayflower Hotel, site of the 45th National Spelling Bee
Date	June 1972
Location	The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Winner	Robin Kral
Age	14
Residence	Lamesa, Texas
Sponsor	Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Sponsor location	Lubbock, Texas
Winning word	macerate
No. of contestants	79
Pronouncer	Richard R. Baker
Preceded by	44th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Followed by	46th Scripps National Spelling Bee

The 45th Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Mayflower Hotel in June 1972, sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company.

The winner was 14-year-old Robin Kral of Lamesa, Texas with the word "macerate". Second place went to 13-year-old Lauren H. Pringle of Buffalo, New York. Kral first had a chance to win when Pringle misspelled "polyonymous", but also misspelled it. Pringle then missed "garnett", which Kral correctly spelled, followed by "macerate" for the win.

There were 79 contestants this year, 47 girls and 32 boys. 533 words were used.

Barrie Trinkle of Texas placed fifth this year (falling on "allograph"), and won the next year.