Jeopardy! Contestant Drew Goins Advances to Champions Wildcard in Nail-Biter Final

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Drew Goins, a journalist from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, clinched a dramatic victory in the final day of the Second Chance Tournament on January 10, 2025, securing his spot in the upcoming Champions Wildcard competition. The high-stakes match, which aired as part of Jeopardy!’s Season 41, saw Goins overcome a strong challenge from finance manager Sam Cameron and student Enzo Cunanan.

Goins, who entered the game with a $5,000 total from the previous day, surged ahead after finding both Daily Doubles in the Double Jeopardy! round. He wagered aggressively, doubling his score twice in a five-clue span to take the lead. Despite a late rally from Cameron, Goins maintained his advantage heading into Final Jeopardy.

The Final Jeopardy category, “Notable Americans,” featured the clue: “He wrote, ‘I had loved her before then, but like most young people, my affection was little more than a simple appreciation for the comforts and privileges most Americans took for granted.'” Both Goins and Cunanan correctly identified the answer as John McCain, while Cameron incorrectly guessed Lafayette.

Goins’ final wager of $13,201 brought his total to $31,601, securing his victory and advancing him to the Champions Wildcard. “I’m thrilled to move forward and compete against such talented players,” Goins said after the game. “This has been an incredible experience.”

Cameron, who finished with $12,199, and Cunanan, who ended with $5,999, were eliminated from the tournament. The Champions Wildcard competition, which begins next week, will feature top contestants vying for a spot in the prestigious Tournament of Champions.

Jeopardy! fans can expect more thrilling matches as the season progresses, with the show continuing to showcase some of the brightest minds in trivia. The next episode airs on Monday, January 13, 2025, featuring Second Chance Tournament winner Will Yancey and two-day champions Paul Clauson and Jen Feldman.