1. Gaels of November
Nov. 28: After consecutive victories over the fifth-ranked Western Mustangs to win the Yates Cup and top-ranked Laval Rouge-et-Or to win the Mitchell Bowl, the fourth-ranked football team overcame the largest second-half deficit in Vanier Cup history (18 points) to capture their first national title in 18 years, beating the second-ranked Calgary Dinos in Quebec City.
2. Perfection
Nov. 14: The men’s rugby team completed their perfect season with a 23-19 victory over the Western Mustangs to win the Turner Trophy at Fletcher’s Field in Markham. After going a perfect 8-0 during the regular season, Queen’s disposed of McMaster in the OUA semifinal before coming from behind for the first time all season in the final, winning their first OUA banner since 2001.
3. Banner season
March 14: Queen’s won six banners during the 2009-10 season, their most since 2003-04 when they secured seven. Football, men’s volleyball, men’s rugby and women’s squash all won OUA championships while football and men’s curling picked up national championship banners. The two national titles marked the first time Queen’s has won multiple national championships in a single academic year.
4. Redemption
March 6: After finishing second at the OUA championship the last two years, the men’s volleyball team reclaimed OUA supremacy after defeating the Guelph Gryphons in a five-set match. Outside hitter Joren Zeeman was named the player of the match after recording 19 kills and 24 points, sending the Gaels to the CIS championship where they finished fifth.
5. National honours
Oct. 20: Seven Gaels teams were ranked in the CIS top 10. After having six teams ranked the week before, men’s soccer moved into the 10th-ranked spot to football (No. 2), women’s soccer (No. 3), men’s cross country (No. 7), women’s cross country (No. 8), women’s hockey (No. 8) and women’s rugby (No. 9).
6. Running man
March 14: Distance runner Matt Hulse made Queen’s history at the 2010 OUA track and field championships, winning a gold medal in the 1,500-metre race and two silver medals in the 1,000-metre and 4×800-metre relay, becoming the first Queen’s student to earn three medals at the provincials. Hulse’s performance led him to be named the Track Events Most Valuable Male Performer. He followed up his performance at the OUA championships with a gold medal in the 1,000-metre and a silver medal in the 1,500-metre at the CIS Championships. Hulse was also honoured for his work off the track earning him the CIS Community Service Award in both cross country and track and field.
7. Taking on the nation
Nov. 15: The women’s soccer team got to the OUA Final Four tournament after a 16-game unbeaten streak, during which they won nine straight games and shut out their opponents in 10 straight games. After winning OUA silver and coming in fourth place at the CIS championship tournament, striker Renée MacLellan was named the CIS women’s soccer player of the year after scoring 12 goals, including six game winners, and leading the Gaels to an upset victory over the AUS champion St. Francis Xavier X-Women at nationals.
8. ARC opening
Jan. 17: After 10,000 patrons visited the ARC on opening day, the men’s and women’s volleyball teams hosted the first varsity events in the new facility and notched wins over the York Lions. The women would go on to finish the season undefeated in their new home, posting a 7-0 record.
9. Mighty Mitch
Feb. 24: Men’s basketball forward Mitch Leger led the Gaels back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter, lifting Queen’s over the Ryerson Rams 79-76 in overtime in the OUA East quarter-final. Leger posted his 17th double-double of the season in the win, scoring a season-high 35 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Leger finished the regular season as the only player in Canada to average more than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. He also led the nation in rebounding with 11.8 per game.
10. Scoring machines
Feb. 14: Women’s hockey forwards Liz Kench and Becky Conroy finished one-two in OUA women’s hockey scoring. Kench finished the season with a league-best 38 points (12 goals, 26 assists) while Conroy was a close second with 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists). Kench’s 26 assists were also first in the nation.
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be ed, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to [email protected].