Nina inspired by University Challenge host Paxman’s dismissal of Welsh hopes

Wednesday, 30 January 2013

Skipper: Nina Grant captained Bangor to victory in University Challenge this week

By Ruth McKee

A FORMER pupil of Palmers Green High School led her team to victory on TV’s most highbrow quiz show on Monday night.

Nina Grant, 26, from Enfield, captained her team from Bangor University to a nail-biting victory over Durham University in the second round of University Challenge.

The Bangor team won by 175 to 165 points after correctly answering the final question before time ran out.

Nina, a French and linguistics student, developed her love of learning when she was a pupil at the school, in Hoppers Road, Palmers Green.

She went on to study A levels at Barnet College, in Wood Street, and Westminster Kingsway College, in Peter Street, Soho.

The BBC2 quiz show is a notoriously difficult test of knowledge with the best and the brightest from the country’s top universities pitted against each other in a bid to win the coveted trophy, currently held by Manchester University.

Host Jeremy Paxman, infamous for his abrupt dismissal of misguided answers, bluntly told the Bangor hopefuls that no Welsh team had won the competition – but this only seemed to make the students from the university in north Wales more determined.

Admitting her competitive spirit had played a part in her determination to join the team, Nina said: “I’ve always watched University Challenge and enjoy competitive quizzing.

“Taking part was a great experience. The green room atmosphere was mostly friendly and jovial, which has led to lasting friendships with other members from other teams.”

Along with teammates Adam Pearce, Simon Tomlinson and Mark Stevens, Nina helped the Bangor team to defeat fellow Celtic university St Andrews in the first round of the quiz show by 125 points to 105.

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