LITTLE ROCK — A high school senior from Little Rock won the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament, securing $75,000 in prize money by besting 14 opponents from around the country with his broad knowledge and quick reflexes.
Leonard Cooper, 17, kept his win secret until Tuesday, when he watched the final episode of the tournament with classmates from eStem Public High Charter School at Gusano’s Pizza.
“I was surprised that I won” throughout the three-round tournament filmed in November, Cooper said, “especially after the first day.”
In that first day, he came back from behind by wagering $18,000 on a “Double Jeopardy” question about the play 12Angry Men.
The correct answer? “What is a jury?”
Cooper, captain of eStem’s Quiz Bowl team, prepared for the tournament by doing exercises to speed his response time, watching reruns of game shows and challenging himself to answer before the other contestants.
“I was really focused on getting the buzzing timing right and being faster than everyone else,” he said, adding that many of other contestants studied general-knowledge questions, neglecting to address a need for a quick response.
Cooper won the tournament despite answering incorrectly a final question about President Dwight D. Eisenhower in a category called “Military Men.” The teen hadn’t wagered anymoney on the “Final Jeopardy” question, and he was pretty confident, “so I figured I’d have a little fun with it,” he said.
“Some guy on D-Day. I just won $75,000,” Cooper wrote as his response.
Watching from the Little Rock restaurant Tuesday, Cooper’s peers and teachers erupted into screams and applause as he answered the final question.
Cooper, already aware of the outcome, sipped his drink casually as his friends pounded their table with excitement.
“We were completely stressed and anxious and hopeful for him and just amazed when he pulled it off,” said John Bacon, chief executive officer of eStem Public Charter Schools. “He just had nerves of steel and confidence.”
Bacon said he was pleased to see a student with enthusiasm and encouragement for competing in a test of knowledge.
“We had a blast,” he said. “It was kind of like going to an athletic event.”
Bacon will face Cooper in a student-vs.-faculty Quiz Bowl competition next week, according to an announcement on the school’s website.
Cooper said he plans to spend his winnings on college tuition. He hopes to attend Brown University and eventually become a doctor. A guitarist, he also plans buy some musical equipment and maybe a car, he said.
Cooper lives in Little Rock with his mother, Judith. His brother, George, 20, is a college student.
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 14 on 02/13/2013