‘Jeopardy!’: Rowan Ward Lands Final Spot in the Tournament of Champions

Meaghan Darwish
35 Comments
Ken Jennings and Rowan Ward on 'Jeopardy!'
Jeopardy!, Inc.

Jeopardy! has found its final Tournament of Champions competitor as Rowan Ward was crowned Jeopardy! Second Chance’s Week 2 winner following Week 1’s Jessica Stephens.

The non-binary player and fan favorite is a chart caller, writer, and editor from Chicago, Illinois, and they will soon face a handful of other strong Jeopardy! competitors in the highly-anticipated Tournament of Champions which kicks off on Monday, October 31. Ward earned a spot among the Second Chance ranks after they nobly played against Matt Amodio and nearly beat the multi-game-winner.

Now, they could have a chance to face Amodio again, but only time will tell as Ward will first have to compete against Courtney Shah and John Focht in the episode airing Thursday, November 3, as teased in the recently revealed TOC matchups. Ward beat out their fellow Second Chance finalists in Week 2 for the coveted spot after playing against law student Jack Weller and interpreter Sadie Goldberger.

In order to potentially face off against Amodio again, Ward would have to move on to the semi-finals of the Tournament of Champions. Even then, they may not face Amodio as they could potentially play against other “super-champ” competitors Amy Schneider and Mattea Roach. While Amodio won an impressive 38 games during his Jeopardy! run, Schneider raised the bar even further by winning 40 games.

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Roach barely trails behind them with 23 memorable successes, but should Ward rise to the occasion, they could have a chance to take down any one of these remarkable players. What did you think of Ward’s exciting Second Chance win? Let us know in the comments, below, and don’t miss the Tournament of Champions beginning next week.

Jeopardy!, Tournament of Champions, Begins Monday, October 31, Check your local listings

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  1. O

    OlivePlanet

    She is so annoying.

    31 3

    1. P

      PurplePuzzle

      I missed the part in the Jeopardy! disclaimers about contestants needing to be soulless sticks-in-the-mud. Enjoy your boring existence.

      1 2

      1. J

        Jerry Kathnelson

        So don't watch.

        Better get over it as you'll be seeing her next year when she defends.

        1. O

          OlivePlanet

          That’s not how it works Jerry.

          1. J

            Jerry Kathnelson

            So enlighten me on "how" it does it work.😎

            1. O

              OlivePlanet

              Tournament of Champion winner does not come back the following year. It’s onto the next season’s champions. You’re welcome.

              1

              1. J

                Jerry Kathnelson

                👍...thanks

      2. O

        OlivePlanet

        You seem to comment a lot defending her. Are you her mother? My existence is pretty damn good. Thanks for your concern.

        1

  2. G

    GreenSushi

    Rowan very annoying. Pompous

    28 3

    1. O

      OliveCactus

      Very smart, but classless.

      7

    2. B

      BlueRadio

      I agree. Won’t be rooting for her.

      3 1

      1. P

        PurplePuzzle

        And no one will be rooting for you. Ever.

        1

    3. P

      PurplePuzzle

      Not pompous. Confident. Or do you like making snap judgements about others?

      3 2

  3. O

    Olive8Ball

    Not a fan. She’s very smart but her mannerisms seem overly exaggerated.

    23 1

    1. C

      CyanPumpkin

      Have you watched Mattea and/or Mayim?

      11 1

  4. G

    GoldBottleOpener

    Rowan has very annoying mannerisms. I've lost interest in Jeopardy since Alex left.

    16 1

  5. P

    PurpleTrumpet

    Am I the only one who thinks Rowan bears a remarkable resemblance to Ross Matthews? They could be siblings.

    15

    1. C

      CyanPumpkin

      Yes. even their gestures and facial expressions are alike. They say everyone has a doppelganger.

      7

  6. C

    CyanBasketball

    Rowan lacks humility,while a great technical player (buzzer+wise) and quite knowledgeable, I'm reminded of a chess player saying 'in your face' when check mating opponent.

    18 3

  7. O

    OliveCactus

    Mike Davies is the second to worst thing to ever happen to Jeopardy. The worst, of course was Alex's passing. The third to worst was hiring Mayim Bialik.

    12 1

  8. G

    GreenRocket

    Not a fan of Rowan.

    8

  9. R

    RedFlask

    I'll be fine if Rowan beats Mattea, but I want Matt and Amy in the final.

    6

  10. J

    Jerry Kathnelson

    Rowan is an awesome player and the 'Superchamps" have to be concerned. I predict she will make the finals and have as good a chance as anyone to win it all. It will depend on who gets the 'Double' opportunities. Looking forward to some upsets.

    5 1

    1. C

      CyanPumpkin

      A lot also depends on the categories which can cater to different players strengths. Some will do well in literature or sports, others may shine in history, chemistry etc. Looking forward to it.

      9

  11. P

    PurplePopsicle

    Vast array of knowledge, but so annoyingly chipper. The professed happiness never reaches her eyes.

    3

  12. G

    GreenCarrot

    good player… but annoying & soooo pompous

    2

  13. P

    PurplePuzzle

    Buh bye. Don't let the door hit ya .

    2 1

  14. C

    CyanBucket

    Lots of fun to watch

    Good luck

    1 1

  15. J

    Jerry Kathnelson

    Get over it. No problem figuring out how you vote.

    2 2

  16. O

    OliveDice

    What is sexual advocacy in your eyes?

  17. P

    PurplePuzzle

    Go with "whatever." Your reward will be better.

    1 2

  18. J

    Jena

    Congrats. Good job, Rowan.

    3 4

  19. G

    GreenElephant

    Rowan is smart and excited every time they get a right answer. The haters are angry that Jeopardy has smart  LGBTQ contestants, and I'd be willing to bet that the haters aren't too fond of anyone who's not a white male protestant. How sad.

    3 6

    1. P

      PurpleButterfly

      Does anyone even use the term protestant anymore?

      6

      1. O

        OrangeScissors

        Not really. The Roman Church no longer dominates.

        4