Warwick uni students crowned winners of University Challenge

STUDENTS from the University of Warwick are celebrating this week after being crowned winners of TV quiz show University Challenge.

The Warwick team, comprising Richard Pollard, George Braid, Owain Burrell, and captained by Andrew Rout beat their competitors of Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, in an Easter Monday showdown.

They won with a score of 195 points to 140 and were presented with a trophy by Simon Armitage, who is an English poet, playwright and novelist.

Throughout the series the team impressed many, having won without losing a single match.

Following the team’s victory, the University of Warwick’s Vicechancellor, Professor Stuart Croft, said: “After a thrilling series and an edge of the seat final, I am absolutely delighted to congratulate Warwick’s University Challenge team on their superb victory.

“To have won the series without losing a single match is an incredible achievement, especially against such excellent competition.

“I’m sure the whole of the Warwick community will join me in sending our congratulations and best wishes to Richard, George, Andrew and Owain - our University Challenge champions!”

The Warwick team had previously played against Magdalene College back in the quarter finals, and beat them by 40 points.

If you would like to see the team in action, you can catch up with the show on BBC iplayer.

Speaking ahead of the final about his experience as part of the Warwick team and recording the series during the Covid-19 pandemic, George Braid said: “I have always enjoyed quizzes. University Challenge is my favourite simply because it’s the one that asks most about things I’m interested in.”

He added: “I wanted to take part when I first started at university, but

I didn’t think I’d actually get on a team, let alone one day play in a final.

“The whole experience was just very good fun, even though I may have felt the pressure at times.

“It’s a shame that the pandemic stopped us seeing much of the other teams, or indeed each other, outside of the games, but the studios ran everything very smoothly under the circumstances.

“Anyone thinking of trying out for their team should definitely give it a go.”