Ben Ganger, the unflappable data analyst from Goshen, Indiana, added another victory to his “Jeopardy!” streak on Monday, working through a tricky game and a Final Jeopardy! clue that proved to be a stumbling block for all three contestants. While Ganger didn’t dominate in the way he has in some of his previous four wins, his steady performance and careful wagering proved sufficient against worthy competitors.
Facing off against Rhyne Modlin, a scientist and entrepreneur from Hickory, North Carolina, and Ellen Goldlust, a historian, editor, and yoga teacher from Charlottesville, Virginia, Ganger encountered a game filled with fluctuating fortunes. Goldlust, in particular, experienced a rollercoaster ride, initially finding herself in the red after an ill-fated True Daily Double wager in the first round on a clue about the Desna River. Despite battling back admirably, she found misfortune again in Double Jeopardy! on a clue about marinated meat, sending her score plummeting back down. Ganger also had a setback, missing a Daily Double in Double Jeopardy! in the “Literary Dress-Up” category.
Going into Final Jeopardy!, Ganger held a lead with $11,500, followed by Goldlust with $4,000 and Modlin with $2,600. The category, “Official Languages,” seemed straightforward enough. The clue, however, proved deceptively challenging. All three contestants incorrectly guessed Suriname, while the correct response was Haiti. Ganger’s conservative $2,000 wager allowed him to maintain his lead and secure his fifth win, bringing his total to $105,915.
While no one emerged from Final Jeopardy! unscathed, Ganger’s consistency continues to impress. He’ll return to defend his streak on tomorrow’s “Jeopardy!”
“Jeopardy!” airs weekdays in syndication. Check local listings for times.
