Varsity highlights

Queen’s athletes share their most defining moments as Gaels

Silhouette raises trophy
Image by: Amelia Rankine

Through the trials and tribulations of grueling seasons, early mornings at the gym, and strict diets, there has to be something more than wanting the tracksuit to motivate somebody to stick with a varsity program.

An important factor is the pursuit of excellence, climbing that obelisk to the top, wanting to be the king of the hill. To be the best, you need to have some outstanding performances.

The Journal spoke with six Queen’s athletes about their most defining moments during their journey to the top of campus athletics:

Zac Hutcheson, Men’s Volleyball: “I think the best sporting moment of my career so far was winning an OUA Championship at Queen’s this past year. Playing in front of almost 2,000 fans and taking down the six-time reigning champs, McMaster, was definitely something to remember.”

Harry Range, Men’s Basketball: “I would say the most memorable moment in my athletic career was during this past season. We were on the road at Laurentian during the first round of the playoffs. They were the favourite in this game, as they had the best player in the league on their team: Kadre Gray.

I had the task of guarding him with a few other teammates on and off. We did our job keeping him under his average. We were down one with 23 seconds left in the fourth, and Tanner Graham hit a step back pull up to put us up in a scattered play. Then they came down and we doubled Kadre, forcing him to kick out to his teammate who missed the shot for us to win.

Since I’ve been at Queen’s, we never won a road playoff game and this was huge for us. I’ve never felt that much energy following a game in that locker room. It was definitely the most defining moment in my Queen’s career.”

Sofie Kennedy, Women’s Rugby: “Beating McMaster in my second year in the semi-finals after always losing to them and finally getting a seat at nationals.”

Liam Varvaris, Men’s Rugby: “I don’t have a particular sporting moment that really stands out to me but I would say the time spent in the gym and on the field with my teammates is what makes playing rugby memorable for me. We’ve got a great group of guys here at Queen’s and I think when it’s all said and done that’s what I’ll remember the most.”

Hannah Dobie, Women’s Soccer: “In my first year when we were in the Final Four playing at London and winning the semi-finals against the Western team.”

Marina Ribecca, Women’s Soccer:The time that comes to my head immediately was the last game of the year [2017 bronze medal game of OUAs]. For the fourth and fifth years, it was their last game ever at university. And every year, I change the lyrics to a song or rap and perform it for the team in the change room to say goodbye and thank you to the graduating players.

Everyone started crying before the game, and they loved it. We went out and played so well and got that bronze. It was an especially emotional time because we obviously didn’t qualify for nationals with a bronze, so it really was the last game with no hope to go on.”

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