A Southern Adventist University student has made it to the semifinals of the "Jeopardy! College Championship."

Hans von Walter was the first student from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale to appear on the popular show. He is a junior biochemistry student at the school and is from Avon Park, Fla. On being on the show, von Walter said, "I can't believe it."

He said he first took an online test on the "Jeopardy!" website, www.jeopardy.com and was invited to audition in California. He said he was told 10,000 students took the online test and 250 were invited to audition with only 15 invited to the two-week tournament.

His first appearance aired Tuesday. While he did not have the highest score, his daily total, $17,000, was enough for him to make it to the semifinals.

The winners from each day's show moved on to the next round, along with four others with the highest scores.

Von Walter said Friday night he will be on the show again Tuesday.

Jeopardy appears weekdays on WTVC Channel 9 in Chattanooga at 7:30 p.m. Von Walter could not under contract discuss results of the shows that have yet to air.