This summer, five Gaels kicked off the next chapter of their football journey with three of them hearing their names echo through the arena as they were selected in the 2025 Canadian Football League Draft.

Queen’s left its mark in Waterloo as a wave of talent took centre stage at the annual East-West Bowl on May 10. Gael’s quarterback, Alex Vreeken, Kin ’26, receiver Russell Weir ArtSci ’27, and linebackers Steven Kpehe, Kin ’26, and James Pace, ArtSci ’27, were all selected to represent Team East.

On April 25, the Queen’s Distance Track Team opened their 2025 season travelling across the border to Canton, New York, participating in the St. Lawrence Intercollegiate Athletics Twilight Meeting at St. Lawrence University.

Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Gaels’ Women’s basketball team just scored a game-changing win, welcoming star forward Kiyara Letlow, MSc ’25, for her final U Sports season.

The Gaels’ golf team is gearing up to chase a national title as they head to Kamloops, British Columbia, for the Canadian University/College Championship from June 3 to 6.

Gaels’ standout forwards Angus Dewar, ArtSci ’27, and Coen Quinn, Sci ’28, have been tapped to represent Canada at the Oceania Rugby U20s Challenge in Fiji from May 28 to June 7, 2025. This marks Canada’s debut at the tournament, which launched only last year.

On the evenings of April 1 and 2, Queen’s Athletics and Recreation hosted their annual Colour Awards for both Varsity Clubs and the Varsity Teams.

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.

In preparation for the upcoming Canadian Football League (CFL) draft, the 2025 CFL National Combine was hosted in Regina, Sask. from March 21 to 23.

After a phenomenal regular season, culminating in the Gaels securing a Forsyth Cup, the Men’s Volleyball team was unable to reach the same heights at the national level.

The 2024-25 season was filled with sweet victories and bitter defeats. Fortunately, The Journal was there to capture them all.

Queen’s Artistic Swimming Club swam circles around their competition, securing first place in the Experienced Team Free event at the Canadian University Artistic Swimming League Championships, held in Victoria, B.C. from March 21 to 23.

Despite a strong season, the Gaels have some unfinished business.

With multiple sports seasons wrapping up, the OUA and U SPORTS have unveiled their player and coaching awards, recognizing athletes for their dedication and achievements throughout the year in their respective sports.

The Men’s Basketball team played their final game of the season on March 14. The Gaels’ suffered their first tournament on March 13 in the quarterfinals, falling 98-109 to the Canada West champions, the Calgary Dinos.

When everything was on the line—season, pride, and a shot at nationals—the Gaels delivered their most complete performance of the year, blanking the University of Toronto (U of T) Varsity Blues 4-0 to secure OUA bronze and the final spot at the U SPORTS National Championship, set for March 21 to 23.

It was a classic case of sibling rivalry as Smith took on Smith at this year’s Cure Cancer Classic.

The Gaels traveled to the nation’s capital on March 8, where they fell just short of becoming back-to-back OUA Champions, losing 87-95 to the Ottawa Gee-Gees 87-95.

The Women’s Hockey team may have taken a step back in the standings this season, but Head Coach Morgan McHaffie, ArtSci ’14, sees the setbacks as part of the sport’s natural growing pains.