There have been notable upsets in recent world history — the Cleveland Cavaliers winning the NBA Title, the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series, and Donald Trump winning the presidential election — but none of them compares to what happened in Clark Hall on November 11, 2016. The “Make America Rage Again” team, led by perennial second-place finisher Robert Jordan, stormed its way to a thrilling victory in this year’s Jeopardy! contest. The victory was made even more exciting because this year’s winners captured the new traveling trophy, the Jordan-Dinwiddie belt.

 

Jeopardy! boasted five teams this semester: “Make America Rage Again,” (or MARA) “The Cheetah Gurls,” “(Tom) Hanks’s Heroes,” “Sid Meier is my Professor,” and “Dr. Jordan Loses Every Year” (or DJLEY). MARA team blazed off to a quick start but made several tactical errors, which allowed the DJLEY team to amass a significant lead halfway through Double Jeopardy! But due to blind luck and smart question management, MARA closed the gap to 500 points.

 

The Final Jeopardy! category was, fittingly, Veterans Day. It proved to be a challenge to the teams. The clue called for teams to name the presidential administration that converted Armistice Day to Veterans Day and made it a national holiday. While both MARA and DJLEY both correctly answered “Who is Franklin D. Roosevelt,” MARA and his team made a savvy wager that vaulted them into first place. Wild celebrations, including a merry jig with the Jordan-Dinwiddie belt, ensued. Fittingly, it was a night where history was made. Dr. Jordan is truly the king of Jeopardy!