Lexington Park Professor Wins Two Straight on Jeopardy!
Stefanie Landeweer, a visiting assistant professor of chemistry at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, has won two consecutive games on Jeopardy!, bringing her total winnings to $30,000. Landeweer, who is identified on the show as a chemistry professor from Lexington Park, Maryland, defeated three-day champion Shannon Leigh Godwin and challenger Spencer Murphy on the Oct. 28 episode, earning $19,400. She followed that with a narrow victory on Oct. 29, adding $10,600.
Her second win came in a game that ended with a Triple Stumper in Final Jeopardy. The category was “Authors,” and the clue asked contestants to identify the humorist and playwright whose poem “Teddy Bear” appeared in Punch magazine in February 1924. The correct response was A.A. Milne, but none of the contestants answered correctly. Landeweer wagered $5,000, leaving her with $10,600. Challenger Sarah Sinclair, a product manager from Seattle, led going into Final Jeopardy with $17,900 but wagered $13,301 and finished with $4,599. Andrew Medlin, a high school teacher from Shreveport, Louisiana, finished with $1.
Landeweer’s first victory was more decisive. Entering Final Jeopardy with $13,400, she trailed Murphy, an endocrinologist from Menlo Park, California, who had $19,200. The final category was “Current TV Streaks,” and the clue asked for the longest-tenured male actor on a primetime show who released the ironically titled album “Home Invasion” in 1993. Landeweer correctly responded with Ice-T and wagered $6,000, finishing with $19,400. Murphy answered Tim Allen and lost his $7,601 wager, finishing with $11,599. Godwin, an interior designer from Oakland, California, answered correctly and finished with $10,600.
A Local Celebrity
The college community celebrated Landeweer’s success on social media. “Congratulations to Stefanie Landeweer, visiting faculty member in chemistry, on her winning appearance on Jeopardy! last night!” St. Mary’s College of Maryland wrote in a Facebook post. “We’re proud to see one of our own shining on the national stage. Way to represent, Stefanie!”
Landeweer’s victory earned her a return appearance as champion on Oct. 29, and her second win earned her a third appearance on Friday, Oct. 30. According to the show’s official contestant tracker, she will defend her title again. Local viewers in Lexington Park and the wider Maryland area have another opportunity to watch her compete.
From the Classroom to the Quiz-Show Stage
Landeweer’s academic background is as impressive as her trivia skills. At St. Mary’s College, she serves as a visiting assistant professor of chemistry, with teaching specialties in analytical and environmental chemistry. According to her faculty biography, her research focuses on developing and using analytical methods to study UV filter chemicals in marine environments, helping inform environmental risk assessments. She earned a doctorate in environmental chemistry from Florida International University in 2023 and a master’s degree in chemistry from the same university in 2022. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
Her performance on Jeopardy! has been statistically strong. Across her first two games, she recorded 20 correct responses and just one incorrect response. In her second game, she delivered 10 correct responses without a miss in the opening round, finishing with $6,000. She continued building her score during Double Jeopardy, reaching $15,600 heading into the final round. Sinclair found both Daily Doubles in Double Jeopardy and took a huge lead, but Landeweer came within $2,300 by the end of the round.
The Final Jeopardy That Decided It
The Oct. 29 game was a close contest that came down to the wagers. With all three contestants answering Final Jeopardy incorrectly, the player who wagered most strategically would win. Landeweer’s $5,000 wager left her with $10,600, while Sinclair’s $13,301 wager reduced her score to $4,599. Medlin wagered $1,799 and finished with $1. Landeweer’s remaining score secured the victory and another day as champion.
Fans reacted to the final clue on Reddit. “Missed that Punch was a key part of the clue; it would have helped me get to the right side of the Atlantic,” one user wrote. “I wasn’t familiar with the publication or poem, but seeing the answer makes perfect sense,” another commented.
Why It Matters
Landeweer’s success is notable not only for her local community but also for the broader trend of academics and professionals finding success on Jeopardy!. The show, which has been on the air for over 60 years, continues to attract contestants from diverse backgrounds, including professors, doctors, and teachers. Landeweer’s two-day total of $30,000 places her among the more successful recent champions, and her return on Friday gives her a chance to extend her streak.
Her victory also highlights the growing presence of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, particularly in environmental chemistry. As a professor and researcher, Landeweer serves as a role model for students at St. Mary’s College and beyond. Her ability to balance academic rigor with quick recall under pressure is a testament to her breadth of knowledge.
What’s Next
Landeweer will appear on Friday, Oct. 30, for her third game. If she wins, she will continue her streak into the following week. Jeopardy! airs weekdays; check local listings for times. Episodes are available to stream the next day on Hulu and Peacock. For fans of competitive trivia, Landeweer’s run is one to watch. Whether she can match the show’s longest winning streaks remains to be seen, but her two victories have already made her a local hero in Lexington Park.
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