In honour of the 89th annual Colour Awards taking place from April 1 to 2, The Journal completed its annual Staff Picks for Varsity Athlete of the Year.
Ollie Engen, Kin ’28, was the unanimous choice for Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. As a rookie, Engen led all U SPORTS rookies in points scored, and spearheaded the Gaels offensive scheme this season.
Completing the rookie sweep in Queen’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball’s rookie Brooke Hussey, Kin ’28, was voted Women’s Basketball Player of the Year by The Journal. Hussey, who assumed the role of starting point guard only a couple of games into the season, was an absolute hustler for the Gaels offensively.
Nolan Hutcheson, ArtSci ’25, was voted Men’s Hockey Player of the Year after recording an OUA-high 20 goals and notching seven game-winning goals for the Gaels this season. Hutcheson also helped lead team Canada to a FISU World University games gold medal in Torino, Italy, earlier this year.
While the Women’s Hockey team struggled this year, goaltender Emma Tennant, ArtSci ’26, was a diamond in the rough and the most consistent player on the ice for the Gaels. Recording a save percentage of .930, Tennant was one of the best goaltenders in the OUA, and will be a force to reckon with on the Gaels’ team for years to come.
Darien Newell, ArtSci ’25, was unanimously voted Football Player of the Year by The Journal’s staffers. Newell, who is eligible for the CFL draft this season, recorded 18.5 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 5.5 tackles for a loss this season, and was named a U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian for the second straight season.
Jude Wheeler-Dee, ArtSci ’26, had a monumental season for the Cross-Country team at Queen’s. Leading the Gaels to a national Championship, Wheeler-Dee also broke a 47-year-old record in the 1500-metre, crossing the line at 3:42.53, eight full seconds shorter than the record set by Bob McCormack, MD ’79.
Marcus D’Acre, ArtSci ’26, was named the Men’s Rugby Player of the Year. On top of leading the Gaels to a second-place finish at the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championships, D’Acre also helped lead the U23 Canadian Men’s team to a victory at The Tropical Sevens in Florida at the end of last season.
Siobhan Sheerin, ArtSci ’25, was voted Women’s Rugby Player of the Year after leading the Women’s Rugby team to another undefeated season, and a second-place finish at the OUA Championships.
Zig Licis, ArtSci ’25, was named Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year this season. Having also been named to the U SPORTS All-Canadian Second-Team, an OUA First-Team All-Star, and leading the Gaels to a Forsyth Cup victory, Licis has more than earned The Journal’s votes.
Hannah Duchesneau, ArtSci ’25, won her second straight OUA Player of the Year award this season after recording 221 kills on a .297 hitting percentage. Duchesneau was named a U SPORTS All-Canadian and unanimously won The Journal’s Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year award.
Josh Crete, ArtSci ’28, was selected as Men’s Soccer Player of the Year after appearing in all 12 games for the Gaels this season and tallying a goal as a defender. Crete was named an OUA Second Team All-Star and will be training with Atletico Ottawa of the Canadian Premier League.
Mattson Strickler, ConEd ’26, was voted Women’s Soccer Player of the Year by The Journal after leading the Gaels in goals, with 10, and finishing the season fourth overall in points, with 13 in just 12 games played. Strickler was also recognized as an OUA First-Team All-Star this season.
Ceilidh MacDonald, Sci ’25, was voted Queen’s Rowing Athlete of the Year due to both her international and national success this season. MacDonald secured a bronze for Team Canada at the FISU World University Rowing Championships earlier this year, and helped the Gaels clinch their second straight OUA Championship.
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