Recognized for exceptional achievements in the sport of rowing, Ceilidh MacDonald, a fifth-year Mathematics student, has been honored with the 2024 RCA Excellence Award by Rowing Canada Aviron.
 
The RCA Award is presented annually to honor outstanding achievements and contributions within the Canadian rowing community.
 
A standout athlete with the Queen's Gaels, MacDonald has consistently showcased elite performance on both national and international stages. In July 2024, MacDonald played a key role in Team Canada's bronze-medal finish in the Women's 8+ event at the FISU World University Rowing Championships in the Netherlands. This achievement earned the crew RCA International Achievement Award, recognizing excellence in international competition.
 
The Barrie, Ont. native, contributed to Queen's Women's Rowing clinching a second consecutive OUA Championship in October, finishing first in the Women's 4+ and 8+. The team went on to secure eight gold and four silver medals.
 
MacDonald's impressive resume also includes a silver medal in the Under-23 Women's Single event at the 2023 Canadian National Rowing Championships. At the Canadian University Rowing Championships, MacDonald, alongside teammate Claire Ellison, earned a bronze medal in the Women's Pair event.
 
Beyond university competition, MacDonald represented Ontario at the 2022 Canada Summer Games, competing under the guidance of former Queen's Rowing head coach Katie Bruggeling.
 
With a growing list of accolades, MacDonald continues to leave a lasting impact on Canadian rowing, exemplifying dedication and excellence in the sport.