Brandon Powell

"Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek, left, is pictured with contestant and Huntsville resident Brandon Powell. (Courtesy of Jeopardy Productions, Inc.)

A member of the Huntsville Track Club got off a fast start during his "Jeopardy!" debut, more than doubling the total of his closest competitor before Final Jeopardy.

All told Rocket City resident Brandon Powell finished with $15,388 in his "Jeopardy!" win, broadcast Monday, June 29. Powell returns to Tuesday's episode of the Alex Trebek-hosted quiz show, airing 6 p.m. on WAAY-31. The 36-year-old is a University of Alabama graduate and contracting officer with the U.S. Department of Defense. A "Jeopardy!" promotional video identifies Powell as a member of the aforementioned HTC.

Recent "Jeopardy!" contestants with Huntsville connections include Randolph School grad Eric Turner, a Vanderbilt University neuroscience and history major who finished third in the "Jeopardy!" College Championship semi-final in February 2014. Turner walked away with a $10,000 consolation prize. Oakwood University's Kenesha Bennett also competed in the show's College Championship last year.

In 2013, NASA strategic analyst Kristin Morgan finished third in the "Jeopardy!" Tournament of Champions, winning $50,000. Morgan, then 36, rung up an additional $69,098 during her six-game January "Jeopardy!" run two years ago.

A peek inside invitation-only 'Jeopardy!' contestant auditions in Huntsville

'Jeopardy!' winner, Huntsville resident Kristin Morgan talks strategies, behind-the-scenes details

'Jeopardy!' Q&A: Huntsville native, Vandy student Eric Turner talks show's green room, Alex Trebek's height, more