If you happened to tune in to Jeopardy! last night (June 29th), then you watched an Iowan kick some butt!


 

According to a new article from the Des Moines Register, Halley Ryherd came out on top during the latest episode of Jeopardy! on Wednesday night. She was in the lead going into Final Jeopardy!, and since all three contestants had the wrong answer, she still ended up on top, with a total of $5,999.

 

 

Halley is a real estate attorney from Waukee, Iowa that has enjoyed trivia for a long time. She told the Des Moines Register that she was on the Quiz Bowl team at Southeast Polk High School before attending Iowa State University, eventually graduating from Drake University with a law degree. The article reads:

"She kept up with her love of quizzes with bar trivia and by taking the "Jeopardy! Anytime Test" — an online qualifying test for the show — every year the day after Valentine's Day."

In an unfortunate coincidence, Halley got "the call" from Jeopardy! on April Fool's Day, so she initially thought it was joke. Luckily it wasn't, and she went out to California to record her episodes later that month. One of the highlights of the episode for Halley was getting to answer "What is Iowa?" to the clue: "The Missouri is a museum in Oahu, the sister ship, named for the state due north, is also one at the Port of Los Angeles."


 

Halley also mentioned that hearing host Mayim Bialyk was an exciting moment for her, as was seeing that the Jeopardy! fashion Twitter account @OneEclecticMom loved her yellow sweater!

 

 

Halley will be back on Jeopardy! this afternoon to compete again! Check her out on KWWL.

Another Iowan is currently doing well on a big competition show! Essence Wilmington of Davenport just made it to the top 8 on FOX's So You Think You Can Dance! You can read all about her success HERE.

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