On Tuesday night, members of Gaels varsity clubs gathered to celebrate excellence in athletics at the 80th annual Club Colour Awards Banquet.
The ceremony honours Queen’s top athletes from the school year. The major awards include the top female and male rookies of the year, top male and female athletes and the most outstanding performer of the year.
Alfie Pierce Trophy for Female Rookie of the Year: Jessie Pollett, fencing
Although she’s one of the youngest members of her team, Pollett was a critical part of the fencing team’s success this year. The team won the OUA Championship, and Pollett herself won gold at Carleton and silver at RMC in a team event.
“I’m very surprised, and very happy about it,” Pollett said. “I hope to help them win as many championships as I possibly can.”
While Pollett has had a successful year with the team this season, she’s setting her sights high for the years to come.
“I’m hoping to be known as kind of a mentor, because I do have a lot of experience coming into the club. So I hope to use that to groom a future generation of fencers.”
Alfie Pierce Trophy for Male Rookie of the Year: Cameron Butler, squash
Butler was named both OUA Rookie of the Year and OUA All-Star this January for squash.
“I’m just thankful for everyone that’s made tonight possible and the season possible too,” Butler said.
Butler recalled a tight game at the OUAs as a favourite moment of the year, where the team finished fifth.
“I had a very close match with the number one player at U of T. It was a really intense match and everyone was cheering me on.”
Jack Jarvis Trophy for Top Male Athlete: Jimmy Wintle, fencing
Wintle, the captain of the men’s fencing team, has enjoyed a long list of accomplishments during his time as a Gael. While at Queen’s, his team has won six medals at the OUA, and Wintle has personally won one gold, three silver and one bronze.
“It’s a really great cap to an amazing eight years with the fencing team,” Wintle said after winning the trophy.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to be my teammates and my friends. This is just another great memory of the many great memories that I have with the team.”
Marion Ross Trophy for Top Female Athlete: Jasmin Aggarwal, triathlon
Aggarwal served this season not just as a varsity athlete, but also assisted the team with coaching duties as club co-president.
“[The award] means a lot for me. It’s so much more than just my athletic performance; it’s being a coach,” Aggarwal said. “It’s just been an amazing experience being involved.”
Outstanding Performance of the Year: Gill Pegg, rugby & wrestling
Pegg has seen success both on the pitch and the mat this year, as a member of both the wrestling and rugby teams. Pegg has been named an OUA All-Star in both rugby and wrestling, the OUA MVP in wrestling and won gold in wrestling. She’s also won a CIS bronze medal in wrestling, a CIS silver in rugby and was named a CIS All-Star for rugby.
“It means a lot,” Pegg said of the award. “It makes you feel like you belong as both an athlete and a student.”
Pegg hopes to leave a legacy of determination and commitment.
“It was a very long five years, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Tags
Athletics, Club teams, Jimmy Wintle
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