Katie MacKay
track and field
Katie MacKay was at the forefront of a strong showing by the Queen’s track and field team at the University of Toronto Classic last weekend. MacKay, a fourth-year PhysEd student, won both the shot put and the weight throw for a double gold meet. She had a throw of 11.34 metres in the shot put and
a 12-metre throw in the weight, an event similar to the hammer in outdoor competition.
For women, the shot put is four kilograms and the weight is nine kilograms. MacKay said she was
happy with the results. “This weekend was something to build on, and it is good to get recognition.”
The team won a total of 12 medals including 11 personal bests. The weight throw was a sweep for the Gaels, with Bri Eshleman and Mhairi Karklin finishing behind MacKay.
Mackay is looking forward to this weekend’s McGill Invitational, saying it’s one of her most important meets. McGill is the site for the provincial championships in March, so it will be important for her and
the team to get familiar with the site this weekend. “In preparation, I’m working through technical stuff like my finish and release in the weight throw,” she said. “I’m also working at competition stress
because, obviously, it is different from practice.”
Jeff DeMeza
men’s volleyball
The Queen’s men’s volleyball team is preparing to enter the post-season as one of the top teams in the
province and in the country. Power hitter Jeff DeMeza has been a major part of the team’s success. DeMeza led the offensive charge on the road last weekend, recording 17 kills in a four-set win over
McMaster last Friday and 12 kills in a sweep of the Guelph Gryphons the next day.
“My goal is to help the team win any way possible,” he said. He said the team places a lot of importance on preparation.
“[The McMaster game] was not a standard win, but our coach does a good job at scouting,” he said.
“We know what to expect, and we did a good job of executing the game plan.”
Queen’s is currently ranked seventh in the country and boasts a near flawless 13-1 record with only six games remaining in the regular season. “We’re where we want to be from this point in the season,”
DeMeza said. “We just have to put our heads down for these last four weeks and play hard.”
The Gaels play Western and Windsor on the road this weekend and then face Ryerson on Feb. 3. The Rams are responsible for Queen’s only loss.
“We’re aware from the run last year that just because you have a good regular season doesn’t mean
that the championship falls in your lap,” DeMeza said. “We need to just keep pushing each other.”
—By Agnes Herra
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