It was a banner season for Queen’s Varsity Sports in Fall 2025 in more ways than one. Seven, to be precise, as success came on the field, pitch, course, and water as the Gaels captured a record seven championships this past fall.

Queen’s success was led by Women’s Rowing and Men’s Cross Country, who each pulled off the incredible double, capturing the OUA Championship before following those wins up with national banners. Women’s Rowing claimed the Canadian University Rowing Championship (CURC) title, while Men’s Cross Country earned the U SPORTS title.

Both teams also experienced tremendous individual success as part of their historic seasons, with Julia Teixeira being named Canadian University Rowing Association (CURA) Female Athlete of the Year for Women’s Rowing, and Jude Wheeler-Dee capturing the OUA Men’s Individual Championship as well as the bronze medal at the U SPORTS Championship.

"Julia has had an exceptional fall of racing for Queen's, winning almost everything that she entered, sometimes by absurd margins," said Queen's Rowing Head Coach Scott Feddery. "On top of this, she's a quintessential and beloved teammate; supporting and elevating everyone around her - always with a huge smile on her face."

"This year is special because it is my final year," Wheeler-Dee said about his individual win. "It is taking care of business but it's also taking it all in. This is my last go-around so trying to soak in every race we do, every workout. Everything is special."

Adding to the excitement of Men’s Cross Country’s OUA Championship was Queen’s Women’s Cross Country pulling off the sweep on the Gaels’ home course at Fort Henry, earning the OUA Women’s Cross Country Championship the same day.

Madison McDermott added to the individual honours by capturing the OUA Women’s Cross Country Rookie of the Year award.

Rounding out the title run for the Gaels were Queen’s Women’s Rugby, who capped off their record sixth straight undefeated regular season with an OUA Championship win on home pitch at Nixon Field, and Queen’s Football, who won their first Yates Cup Championship in 16 years, knocking off the defending champion Laurier Golden Hawks in Waterloo, Ont.

"It's always pretty special when you can come in, put in a performance like that, that everybody top to bottom should be exceptionally proud of, get the result, and to be able to do it at home on Nixon Field, that's a tough moment to top," said Queen's Women's Rugby Head Coach Dan Valley after his team’s OUA Championship win.

Queen’s Women’s Rugby also earned two of the top individual honours for the conference, with Lizzie Gibson being named OUA Women’s Rugby Player of the Year and Dan Valley being named OUA Women’s Rugby Coach of the Year.

"To see Lizzie recognized as both OUA POY and 1st Team All-Star is a very fitting way to end her OUA career," Valley said. "On the field, she has been a pivotal part of our team's performance in all phases of play, and the grit and determination that she trains and competes with every day have helped shape our squad's identity."

The Gaels capped their provincial title with a national bronze medal at the U SPORTS Women’s Rugby Championship.

There were also a number of teams earning provincial medals, including silvers for Queen’s Men’s Rugby, Queen’s Men’s Golf, Queen’s Women’s Lacrosse, and Queen’s Women’s Tennis, and bronze medals for Queen’s Men’s Rowing and Queen’s Men’s Tennis.

Queen’s Men’s Rugby’s terrific season was highlighted by Marcus D’Acre being named both the OUA and Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship (CUMRC) Player of the Year.

"It's great to see Marcus is getting this recognition," said Queen's Men's Rugby Head Coach John Lavery. "He's probably the most exciting player his age in the country and plays the game with enormous heart and creativity."

And while their seasons are just at the midway point, there have been strong early returns for Queen’s two-term teams.

Queen’s Women’s Basketball sits atop the OUA East division standings at the Winter Break with an undefeated 11-0 record and is ranked fifth in the nation in the U SPORTS Top 10 rankings.

The Gaels’ Kiyara Letlow, who is sixth in the conference in scoring at 17.4 points per game and fourth in rebounding at 11.5 rebounds per game, also set the U SPORTS record for career rebounds earlier this season with 1,182. Letlow now has 1,269 career rebounds heading into the Winter Break.

"It's a really big deal, it just goes to show the amount of work that's been put in to her game," said Queen's Women's Basketball Head Coach Claire Meadows. "If you look at the other individuals that surround her on that list, it's a huge compliment to her and what she's been able to accomplish," said Meadows.

Queen’s Women’s Hockey is also off to a strong start, leading their division with a 13-2-0 record and ranked fourth in the U SPORTS Top 10.

The Gaels have two players atop the conference scoring charts: Sophie Hudson with a conference-leading 19 points (10 goals, nine assists), and Mikayla Cranney in fourth with 14 points (six goals, eight assists).

Queen’s Men’s Volleyball is ranked seventh in the U SPORTS Top 10 and sits tied atop the OUA standings with an 8-2 record.

Gaels setter Chris Zimmerman set the program’s all-time assists record earlier this season with 2,126.

And Queen’s Men’s Hockey returned to the U SPORTS Top 10 rankings this past week, coming in at No. 10. The Gaels are tied for fifth in the OUA standings and just 1.5 games out of second place with a 9-8-0 record.