KINGSTON, Ont. (April 1, 2025) – Queen's Women's Lacrosse star Jaedyn Smail received the Marion Ross Trophy, recognizing the Queen's University Varsity Clubs Women's Sports Athlete of the Year for the 2024-25 season at the 89th annual Colour Awards banquet on Tuesday night.

First introduced in 1981 by the Women's P.H.E. Alumnae Association, the Marion Ross Trophy honors Queen's first athletic director and is awarded annually to a Varsity Club female student-athlete in a fourth or fifth year who exemplifies academic excellence, competitiveness, leadership, sportsmanship, dedication, and significant contributions to a team.

A driving force behind Queen's Women's Lacrosse, Smail (Biomechanical Engineering) delivered a dominant 2024-25 season, leading the program to an OUA Championship victory with a perfect 8-0 season record. 

The gold medal win, the second of Smail's career, cemented an impressive legacy within Queen's Lacrosse. Recognized as the Most Valuable Offensive Player, an OUA All-Star, and an OUA Player of the Week, Smail consistently set the standard for elite performance.

From the moment Smail joined the program after transferring from Central Michigan, an immediate impact was made on the field.

Head Coach Mike Watson reflected on Smail's evolution into one of the league's top athletes, stating, "She is a leader who leads the team during tough competitions. Her athletic level and skill are tremendously advanced compared to the opponents we've seen over the last four years. She is an athlete who can create goal chances when the team requires game-changing momentum."  

A leader both on and off the field, Smail has made contributions beyond athletics. The fourth year midfielder volunteers with Queen's Women in Science and engineering clubs on campus, highlighting a commitment to mentorship and academic excellence.