Tom Devlin Sets New Record on Jeopardy! Amidst Fierce Competition

Washington, D.C. — Tom Devlin made history on the October 22 episode of Jeopardy!, breaking a long-standing record by recording the highest-ever non-leading score entering the Final Jeopardy round. Devlin, an attorney, scored $22,599, surpassing the previous mark set by James Holzhauer in 2019.

In this nail-biting installment, Devlin faced off against Emmanuel Calivo from San Jose, California, and Katy Lentz from Mauldin, South Carolina. By the end of the first round, Devlin led with $9,000, while Calivo trailed in second with $3,000 and Lentz secured third with $2,200.

Calivo, an airport customer service agent, gained momentum in the Double Jeopardy round. He found the Daily Double while in third place with $4,600, wagering $2,600 but answered incorrectly. However, he quickly recovered by correctly answering a subsequent Daily Double question, drawing him closer to the leader.

The Final Jeopardy category was “Travel U.S.A.” The clue asked contestants about a hotel known for profiles of famous literary figures. While Calivo and Lentz answered incorrectly, Devlin correctly responded with “What is the Algonquin?” and did not wager any of his total.

With this victory, Devlin returned as the two-day champion with a total of $43,199. His performance not only impressed fans but also sparked discussions about his potential for future successes on the show.