The votes are in for The Journal’s favourite varsity team student-athletes.
Following last week’s Colour Awards, The Journal staff voted for the top performers on April 4 and the results were compiled to award the QJ Players of the Year from their respective teams.
Sharing a family name, Cole Syllas, Sci ’24 and Luka Syllas, ConEd ’24, were split between staffers, tying for the QJ Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. Luka Syllas put up 505 points this year, while brother Cole Syllas had 381 points, including the OUA Championship buzzer-beater on March 2.
On the women’s side of basketball, Julia Chadwick, MIR ’24, had the most votes after smashing points records, securing her 1,000th point, and capturing 506 points this season. Chadwick is The Journal’s pick for Women’s Basketball Player of the Year.
For Men’s Cross-Country, Miles Brakenbury, ConEd ’24, got this year’s QJ Men’s Cross-Country Athlete of the Year award, putting up impressive performances all season long, including a win at the Capital City XC Challenge in September 2023.
The Journal’s Women’s Cross-Country Athlete of the Year award goes to Madelyn Bullock, ArtSci ’24, for her striking efforts and leadership. Bullock was last year’s Team Captain, and this year was awarded Academic All-Star Honours by Queen’s Athletics and Recreation (A&R).
Jared Chisari, MSc ’25, was voted the QJ Men’s Football Player of the Year after breaking records including single-season rushing yards and single-game touchdowns. Chisari’s performance all season was a force to be reckoned with, not going unnoticed by The Journal.
With a unanimous vote, Men’s Hockey goaltender Christian Purboo, ArtSci ’25, is awarded the Men’s Hockey Player of the Year award. In his first season starting for the Gaels, Purboo was the glue that held his team together. He was named U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Player of the Week multiple times this season, but The Journal celebrates him all year.
From Women’s Hockey, Captain Scout Watkins Southward, ArtSci ’24, touched the heart of many QJ staffers with her interview on the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Paired with a 19-point season, The Journal has awarded the Women’s Hockey Player of the Year.
On Men’s and Women’s Rowing, Lucas Celia, Sci ’24, and Claire Ellison, Sci ’24, are awarded the QJ Men’s and Women’s Rowing Athlete of the Year. Celia and Ellison sat down with The Journal prior to competing in the U23 World Rowing Championship in July 2023.
Jacob Merkur, ArtSci ’25, was voted QJ Men’s Rugby Player of the Year as a standout player for the Gaels. He’s returning next season to continue his prospective success.
The Journal’s Women’s Rugby Player of the Year saw staffers split between two recipients: Lizzie Gibson, ArtSci ’24, and Maggie Banks, Nurs ’24. Both players had phenomenal seasons, leading the Gaels to OUA Championship victory and a national bronze medal.
From Men’s Soccer, Pablo Hempelmann-Perez, Comm ’26, was the standout player for Journal staff and was awarded QJ Men’s Soccer Player of the Year after a total of 24 points in 11 games during the 2023-24 season.
On the Women’s side, Mattson Strickler, ConEd ’26, is the 2023-24 recipient of The Journal’s Women’s Soccer Player of the Year, amassing 26 points in 14 games played.
The Journal’s Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year recipient is Erik Siksna, Comm ’24, with 263 kills and 51 service aces.
QJ Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year was unanimously voted to Hannah Duchesneau, ArtSci ’24, for her 213 kills and overall top-notch performance.
Tags
Journal Awards, Player of the Year, varsity teams
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s)-in-Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.