UK economics senior Zach Atwell made a run in the Jeopardy! College Championships, which aired on Feb. 17.

Though the senior was unable to make it past the quarterfinals, he was only the second Wildcat in school history to have competed on the show.

“It was the experience of a lifetime, and something that I’ll never forget. The whole experience was amazing,” Atwell said. 

Atwell successfully “bet it all” in Final Jeopardy, but his ending total of $12,800 was not enough to qualify him for the semifinals. He claims “Duo/Duet” will always haunt him.

The perks of competing included a free trip to Los Angeles and a stay at the Universal Hilton Hotel. As well as a chance to meet the host of Jeopardy, Alex Trebek, and other contestants who share a love for trivia. 

“It was surreal to be on stage and behind the podium. The only disappointment was the buzzer system. Timing is everything,” Atwell said. 

While timing might not have been just right for the Wildcat, he said he plans to continue his quest to compete in more trivia game shows. He also encourages all students to try out every year. 

“You only have four chances to make it into the College Championship. Don’t waste an opportunity. I’d love to see a UK student win the tournament,” Atwell said.

With the “cool factor” of appearing on Jeopardy! a bonus to Atwell’s time on the show, he considers it a great addition to his résumé. Most importantly, he learned one big lesson from his experience.

“It’s made me realize that if you really set your mind to something, almost anything is possible,” Atwell said.