KINGSTON, Ont. (April 3, 2023) – Marlow Benson and Alex Sun have been named the Queen's University Varsity Clubs Athletes of the Year for the 2022-23 season during the 87^th annual Colour Awards banquet Monday night.

Benson (Bolton, Ont.), who starred for Queen's Women's Squash, helping the team extend their provincial dynasty, was named the recipient of the Marion Ross Trophy as Varsity Clubs Female Athlete of the Year.

Benson helped the Gaels capture an incredible eighth straight OUA Championship on home courts at the ARC this season. Benson, who like her teammates at the championship, did not drop a single match and was named an OUA All-Star for her performance.

A former OUA Rookie of the Year and Alfie Pierce Trophy recipient, Benson is in her first year with the NextGen National Squad team, where she is joined by top young Canadian squash players on their journey to representing Canada at the international level.

"I can't say enough about this talented individual," said Queen's Women's Squash Head Coach Lisa Coates.

"Her leadership skills on and off the court during the past four years are second to none. Marlow engages the team in many ways, with a strong work ethic at practice, through her dedication in promoting the team on social media, and increasing the bond between the Men's and Women's squad with organized joint practices."

Sun (Richmond, B.C.), who starred for Queen's Fencing, was named the recipient of the Jack Jarvis Trophy as Varsity Clubs Male Athlete of the Year.

Sun helped lead Queen's Men's Fencing to a bronze medal in the Team Sabre event as captain at the OUA Fencing Championship. The bronze at the provincial level was the highlight of a number of strong performances for Sun throughout the season, which also included a fifth place finish in individual sabre, and overall fourth place at the OUA Championship, and gold medal finishes at both the High Munby Fencing Open and Brock Fencing Open.

Sun is also a former gold medalist at the OUA level and Alfie Pierce Trophy recipient.

"Watching Alex grow as a fencer and as a person over the past four years has been a pleasure," said Queen's Fencing Head Coach Rodney Carter. "He arrived at Queen's a driven and talented fencer and has grown to be an inspirational team leader. Alex has shown himself to be as a positive role model for rookies and experienced fencers alike."

In other major awards given out for Varsity Clubs during the Colour Awards banquet, Tara Meikle and Nathan Duffar-Calder were named Varsity Clubs Rookies of the Year, and Queen's Women's Lacrosse was named Varsity Club of the Year.

Meikle (Owen Sound, Ont.), who starred for Queen's Women's Lacrosse, was named an Alfie Pierce Trophy recipient as Varsity Clubs Female Rookie of the Year.

Meikle was named an OUA All-Star and the OUA Rookie of the Year after helping Queen's Women's Lacrosse finish the 2022 season with an undefeated regular season record before capturing the OUA Championship. Meikle, who quickly established herself as an offensive threat this season, led the Gaels in points and was one of the top three on attack in the conference.

"Tara Meikle is adept at creating offence by herself, but also has the vision and IQ to know when to involve her teammates," said Queen's Women's Lacrosse Head Coach Mike Watson. "She is a team-first player and will do whatever is asked of her to help the team."

Duffar-Calder (Montreal, Que.), who starred with Queen's Sailing, was also named an Alfie Pierce Trophy recipient as Varsity Clubs Male Rookie of the Year.

Duffar-Calder helped Queen's Sailing to an incredible year where the Gaels were named Team of the Year in the Fall and [maybe national champions in the winter semester]. Duffar-Calder, who is a member of the WASZP CANFoil program, took initiative in his first season with Queen's Sailing, joining the team's Exec where he served as Co-Fleet captain.

"Nathan Duffar-Calder is an incredible team player," said Queen's Sailing's Danielle Boyd. "He is always ready with a witty comment and is known for his ability to make sure everyone is welcome within the sailing community."

And Queen's Women's Lacrosse was named the recipient of the Award of Merit as Varsity Club of the Year.

Queen's Women's Lacrosse capped their undefeated regular season with an OUA Championship in the fall. The Gaels entered the OUA Women's Lacrosse Championship with a 14-0 record and would go on to defeat all four opponents at the Championship to take the banner.

Queen's would sweep the OUA's major awards as well, with Jaedyn Smail winning Most Valuable Offensive Player, Kiely Howe winning Most Valuable Defender, Tara Meikle winning Rookie of the Year, and Mike Watson being named Coach of the Year. Smail, Howe, and Meikle were also all named OUA All-Stars.