A University of Idaho senior is a three-day champion on the TV quiz show "Jeopardy."
Mark Runsvold, who is majoring in international studies at Idaho, is in the winner's circle. Runsvold has won three games. He made $48,000 in his debut Friday, $55,000 on Monday and $21,201 on Tuesday bringing his three-day winnings to $124,201.
Runsvold is a 2004 Centennial High School graduate, according to the Merdian School District. The district posted an article on its Web site Tuesday afternoon (click the link to the right of this story to read it).
What makes "Jeopardy" a unique gameshow is that contestants are given answer clues and must come up with the correct question.
Runsvold, who is in Moscow and working as a server at a restaurant, told the Idaho Statesman Tuesday afternoon that the shows he competed on were taped in March. The 25-year-old said he missed four or five days of class to be on the TV show. He says his professors were supportive.
He grew up watching the game show.
"My mom had it on pretty much every night. It was part of her routine," said Runsvold, who played JV soccer at Centennial, was on the Quiz Bowl team and was an editor for the school newspaper.
Runsvold said his mom, who is a fifth/sixth grade teacher, was unable to join him at the taping. He said the studio audience was largely made up of contestants and their family members.
"The way the tapings go, they pretty much get an episode done in about as much time as it takes to air one," Runsvold said. "They don't waste any time." He said they tape a whole week of shows on one day.
In a video section called "hometown howdies" on the "Jeopardy" Web site, Runsvold says this:
"Hi in the Northwest. I'm Mark Runsvold from Moscow, Idaho. Watch me on Jeopardy as I vandalize the competition."
In another video, Runsvold is asked how it feels to have won three shows. He encouraged others who want to be on the show to apply. He said it took him two years to get on the show.
He's planning to use his winnings to pay off student loans, add to his savings and travel.
"Jeopardy" airs at 6 p.m. weekdays on KBOI, Channel 2.
See videos of Runsvold by clicking the link to the right of this story.
