MONROE - It turns out that krypton was Jenny Thorngate's kryptonite.
During her appearance on "Jeopardy" Thursday, the 2002 Monroe High School graduate missed the Final Jeopardy question, bringing her reign as champion on the popular TV quiz show to an end after one day.
Ironically, the subject was chemistry - a discipline in which Thorngate, who works in the inorganic chemistry department for the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene - is well versed.
During a come-from-behind victory in Wednesday's episode, Thorngate defeated the returning "Jeopardy" champion and won herself $22,001 - not bad for a half hour of work.
On Thursday's episode, Thorngate, 31, was challenged by Kathy Riley of Winter Haven, Florida, and Heather Melancon, originally from Oak Park, Illinois.
Going into the Final Jeopardy round, Melancon had $7,400, followed closely by Riley at $7,200. Thorngate trailed in third with $4,200.
The category was announced: "Scrabble & Chemistry." And then the question: "As a word used in Scrabble, this longest-named one of the 6 noble gases would give you the highest score."
Thorngate answered xenon, losing her $4,000 wager to drop her total down to $200.
Melancon answered hydrogen, also incorrect, losing her $7,201 bet to bring her final amount down to $199.
But Riley had the right answer, krypton - a colorless, odorless gas that occurs in trace amounts in the atmosphere, not Superman's home planet. With her conservative $1,201 bet, Riley tallied enough to be named champion.
Thorngate received another $2,000 for placing second on Thursday's episode.
The shows were taped in April.
During her appearance on "Jeopardy" Thursday, the 2002 Monroe High School graduate missed the Final Jeopardy question, bringing her reign as champion on the popular TV quiz show to an end after one day.
Ironically, the subject was chemistry - a discipline in which Thorngate, who works in the inorganic chemistry department for the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene - is well versed.
During a come-from-behind victory in Wednesday's episode, Thorngate defeated the returning "Jeopardy" champion and won herself $22,001 - not bad for a half hour of work.
On Thursday's episode, Thorngate, 31, was challenged by Kathy Riley of Winter Haven, Florida, and Heather Melancon, originally from Oak Park, Illinois.
Going into the Final Jeopardy round, Melancon had $7,400, followed closely by Riley at $7,200. Thorngate trailed in third with $4,200.
The category was announced: "Scrabble & Chemistry." And then the question: "As a word used in Scrabble, this longest-named one of the 6 noble gases would give you the highest score."
Thorngate answered xenon, losing her $4,000 wager to drop her total down to $200.
Melancon answered hydrogen, also incorrect, losing her $7,201 bet to bring her final amount down to $199.
But Riley had the right answer, krypton - a colorless, odorless gas that occurs in trace amounts in the atmosphere, not Superman's home planet. With her conservative $1,201 bet, Riley tallied enough to be named champion.
Thorngate received another $2,000 for placing second on Thursday's episode.
The shows were taped in April.