Bend Local Takes Over “Jeopardy!” | The Source Weekly - Bend, Oregon

Bend Local Takes Over “Jeopardy!”

Rachel Lindgren is currently undefeated.

T

his week on “Jeopardy!,” Bend local, Rachel Lindgren dominates with five wins and a cash haul of $75,999, so far.

Last January, Lindgren decided on a whim to try out for “Jeopardy!”— the popular televised quiz show hosted by Alex Trebek.
“It was just something to show off all the pointless things I knew,” Lindgren told the Source Weekly Thursday. That seemingly trivial audition is in the process of changing Lindgren’s life. With winnings close to $80,000 and more rounds to come, what will she do in the days ahead?

“Money has always been an issue and I am having a difficult time even comprehending what to do with the amount I have,” she said.
Lindgren, is a modest 26-year-old woman from Carson City, Nev. She moved to Bend last year and currently works at the ticket counter at Mt. Bachelor.

“I still want to work, and I hope to return to the Forest Service this summer,” she said.
Lindgren has a bachelor’s degree in biology and forestry from the University of Nevada, and says she hopes to donate some of her winnings to the Museum of Natural History at the University of Nevada. With her other winnings, she hopes to obtain pilot’s license, travel and return to school.

“I don’t know where I am going to go or what I am going to do but I am excited to be given the opportunity to explore,” said Lindgren.

After her five-day winning streak, Lindgren has gained local and national popularity. State Rep. Knute Buehler, and Sen. Ron Wyden have both tweeted messages of support for Lindgren on Twitter.

“My Facebook has been blowing up. I have been offered everything from marriage proposals to flight lessons,” she explains. “It’s fun to be recognized, for now.”

With “Jeopardy” having 23 million viewers weekly, Lindgren is on a potential road to national fame. After winning five rounds, candidates qualify for a chance to appear on the game show’s Tournament of Champions, although qualifying does not guarantee an invitation, according to the show’s website.

Lindgren doesn’t know if she will be featured on the Tournament of Champions, but said “It’d be really exciting to go back. I have kept in touch with the other contestants, it’s been an incredible experience.”

The filming for this week of “Jeopardy!” was done last October in Culver City, Calif.
“I wasn’t expecting to get this far. They film five shows in one day, twice a week. I hardly even had time to pee,” said Lindgren.

Apparently, she only had time to win. Will she win again tonight? Tune into KOHD at 7 p.m. to see Rachel Lindgren on “Jeopardy!”

Editors note: Lindgren did not win the fifth round of Jeopardy.

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