Jeopardy! : University of Minnesota Sophomore Wins $100,000 in College Championship

Tomás Mier

17 April 2020 at 7:30 pm·2-min read

What is “Jeopardy! College Champion?”

On Friday, Alex Trebek crowned the winner of the 2020 Jeopardy! College Championship: University of Minnesota sophomore Nibir Sarma. The chemical engineering major took home $100,000 and a spot in the show’s coveted Tournament of Champions.

“I’m so proud and happy to represent the state of Minnesota, and also represent students at large public universities who sort of get viewed in a different way than, say, some private colleges,” Sarma said in a press release. “I really love representing my hometown college and my community.”

“I’m hoping, since Minnesota isn’t featured that often in [the] national conversation, that I can bring some attention to our area and to the whole state that made me into the person I am today,” he continued.

RELATED VIDEO: Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune to Film Without Audience Over Coronavirus Concerns

Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune to Film Without Audience Over Coronavirus Concerns

The choice to forgo having spectators at the live tapings was made out of concern for the show’s senior audience

Coming in second place was Indiana University’s Tyler Combs with $50,000, followed by the University of Southern California’s Xiaoke Ying in third with $25,000.

Courtesy of Jeopardy Productions, Inc.

Sarma is the first-ever University of Minnesota student to win the championship since the special collegiate tournament started in 1989. Only one college champion has ever won the Tournament of Champions competition — Tom Cubbage from Southern Methodist University.

“I know the competition there will be very tough and the questions will be a lot harder, so I’m planning on studying a lot more for that tournament as it gets closer,” Sarma said about the next level. “For now, I’m just relaxing. It’s still on the horizon, but I don’t want to stress myself out more than I have to. I just won $100 grand; I feel like I can afford to relax a bit!”

Australian Associated Press
US judge fines Trump again, warns of jail time
A judge in former US president Donald Trump's hush money trial has again sanctioned him for violating a gag order on public comments.
Australian Associated Press
Moyes to leave West Ham, Lopetegui linked with job
David Moyes will leave the role of West Ham manager at the end of the season with former Spain coach Julen Lopetegui widely expected to replace him.
Australian Associated Press
SKY proves the limit for Cummins, Head and Sunrisers
A stunning century by Suryakumar Yadav has powered Mumbai Indians to victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad despite Travis Head and Pat Cummins both making runs.
Australian Associated Press
Pogacar retains lead in Giro as Merlier wins stage
Belgian rider Tim Merlier has won the third stage of the Giro d'Italia after race leader Tadej Pogacar almost caught the sprinters by surprise
Australian Associated Press
Aussie telcos dial in to family violence action plans
As mobile phones emerge as both threats and boons to women's safety, telcos are implementing plans to help customers escaping family or domestic violence.
Australian Associated Press
Credit rating upgrade 'remote' as Vic budget arrives
Victoria's chances of a credit rating upgrade are "very remote" as Treasurer Tim Pallas prepares to hand down his 10th state budget.
Australian Associated Press
Cleary wants compensation as rivals raid Penrith kids
Ivan Cleary believes Penrith should be compensated for player development as their junior nursery is raided by NRL rivals.
Australian Associated Press
Drought fund boost for better farmer resilience
More than half a billion dollars will be set aside in the federal budget for projects helping farmers prepare for drought.
Australian Associated Press
Tough new knife search laws in youth crackdown
"Wanding" laws already in place in QLD will be introduced in NSW allowing police to search for knives without a warrant in transport hubs and shopping centres.
Australian Associated Press
Several trapped after South African building collapses
A multi-storey building under construction has collapsed in a coastal city in South Africa, authorities say.
Australian Associated Press
Lyon's Lancashire loss leaves them last in county table
Four matches into Nathan Lyon's spell with Lancashire and his team are bottom of the English county league, without a win, after Wes Agar's Kent beat them.
Australian Associated Press
Moloney's final flurry not enough, loses title in Tokyo
Australia is without a current male world champion after bantamweight Jason Moloney was upset on points by Yoshiki Takei on a historic Tokyo card.
Australian Associated Press
Eagle Tyler Brockman's car crash investigated by police
Police are investigating a single-car crash involving Tyler Brockman shortly after the West Coast forward attended a family funeral.
Australian Associated Press
Shooter Willett wins trap gold, Smith takes silver
Australian trap shooters James Willett and Penny Smith have shown excellent pre-Olympics form at the World Cup round in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Australian Associated Press
Israel warned of 'grave concerns' as PM calls for unity
Protests about the war in Gaza at universities across the nation are impacting social cohesion, the prime minister warns, as Australia sends Israel a message.
Australian Associated Press
Mother tried to murder disabled daughter, court told
A woman has denied attempting to murder her severely disabled daughter by injecting her with a lethal dose of insulin.
Australian Associated Press
Souths' Gray, Hawkins face lengthy injury lay-offs
Jack Wighton looks set for an extended stint in the halves after South Sydney confirmed Dean Hawkins and Jye Gray were both facing long-term lay-offs.
Australian Associated Press
Domestic violence funding pledge nothing but 'crumbs'
NSW Premier Chris Minns says all governments need to do better to tackle domestic violence as he unveils an extra $230 million for the support and prevention.
Australian Associated Press
Increased cost fears with no delay in stone ban
Queensland builders fear the government's decision to scrap a transition period ahead of the engineered stone ban will increase costs to the industry.
Australian Associated Press
Mexico 'deeply regrets' death of Aussie brothers
Mexico has offered is condolences after three bodies were identified as missing Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their American friend.

Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune to Film Without Audience Over Coronavirus Concerns

Latest stories