The Final Jeopardy question (10/12/2011), in the category Art and State Capitals, was:

“The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, home to the largest permanent collection of her works, is in this state capital“

Two ladies, Leigh Wishner and Katie Proctor, showed up on Wednesday to challenge Joon Pahk’s 7-day reign. Alex wondered if this would change Joon’s luck.

In the Jeopardy round, the Daily Double was not only in the last category they worked on, “Health,” it was also the very last clue chosen ($1,000). The clues were supplied by Dr. Oz. Leigh bet $1,000 on it but lost. Joon seemed to be a bit laid back in this round, but he still finished in the lead going into Double Jeopardy with $6,400.

Leigh also got the first Daily Double in Double Jeopardy but only ventured $500. Then she got the second one and bet $1,500 and won on the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat in the 18th century.

Around the middle of this round, it was sure looking like Joon’s swan song as Katie took a commanding lead with over $10K more than Joon. But he swept through the last category “Words” to finish with $13,200. Leigh had $5,600 and Katie was in the lead with $17,600.

All the contestants had the correct answer: Santa Fe.

Joon must have been tired — he only bet $4,400, enough to tie him with the amount of money that Katie had going into Final Jeopardy. Katie bet $8,801, making her the new champ with $26,401. Katie’s big smile showed she did her arithmetic and Joon would not have beat her even if he bet it all.

Joon will return in 3 weeks when the Annual Tournament of Champions begins.

New champion Katie Proctor will return tomorrow.