In a gripping episode of Wheel of Fortune, veterans from various branches of the U.S. military competed, bringing their quick wit and sharp skills to the iconic game show’s puzzle board. Chantel Toran, an Army Reserves veteran from Middleburg, FL, competed against Will Jordan, a Coast Guard vet and police officer from Wethersfield, CT, and Kitina Thomas, an Air Force vet turned realtor from San Antonio, TX. The competition was fierce with each contestant bringing their A-game to solve the puzzles and claim impressive prizes.
Game Highlights and Strategic Plays
The game kicked off with Chantel swiftly solving the $1,000 Toss-Up, revealing “HAIL TO THE CHIEF,” setting a fast-paced tone for the night. She continued her streak by identifying “THEODORE ROOSEVELT” in the $2,000 Toss-Up. The first round saw a series of strategic plays with Will and Kitina jumping in to solve the puzzles, but it was Kitina who correctly solved “GIVE YOURSELF A ROUND OF APPLAUSE” after a misstep from Will. The tension heightened in the subsequent rounds with a mix of correct guesses, unfortunate bankruptcies, and lost turns that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
During the Mystery Round, Kitina managed to solve “FIVE-STAR GENERAL STORE,” cleverly navigating through potential risks of bankruptcies that affected other contestants. The Prize Puzzle took contestants to beach scenarios, with Kitina winning a trip to the Sandos Playacar Beach Resort after solving “STARING OUT AT THE OCEAN.” The Triple Toss-Ups were a rapid-fire round where Chantel demonstrated her prowess by solving all three puzzles: “A COLONY OF ANTS,” “A SWARM OF BEES,” and “A GAGGLE OF GEESE,” catapulting her into the lead.
The final speed-up round had contestants scrambling to guess the puzzle “NECKLINES AND HEMLINES,” with Will finally scoring and breaking his dry spell. The intensity peaked in the Bonus Round where Chantel faced the challenge of solving “ONLINE AUCTION.” Despite her best efforts and hints provided by the chosen letters, she couldn’t clinch the bonus puzzle, ending her potential $100,000 winning streak. Nevertheless, Chantel walked away as the winner of the night, showcasing impressive puzzle-solving skills throughout the episode.
Puzzle Answers Table
| Round | Solution |
|---|---|
| $1,000 Toss-Up | HAIL TO THE CHIEF |
| $2,000 Toss-Up | THEODORE ROOSEVELT |
| Round 1 | GIVE YOURSELF A ROUND OF APPLAUSE |
| Round 2 | FIVE-STAR GENERAL STORE |
| Prize Puzzle | STARING OUT AT THE OCEAN |
| Triple Toss-Up 1 | A COLONY OF ANTS |
| Triple Toss-Up 2 | A SWARM OF BEES |
| Triple Toss-Up 3 | A GAGGLE OF GEESE |
| Round 4 | NECKLINES AND HEMLINES |