At a university where academic rigour sets a high bar, McGill’s varsity athletes continue to raise it even higher—smashing school records and bringing home hardware to cap off a season to remember.
Between early morning practices and late-night study sessions, McGill’s track and field, badminton, and swimming teams have exceeded boundaries and delivered exceptional performances. This season, they shattered school records, earned personal bests, and brought home medals in all three colours at their respective championships. Much of this success can be attributed to the steady leadership guiding these teams, coaches and captains alike.
McGill Men’s and Women’s Track and Field
The McGill track and field team delivered standout performances at the 2025 U SPORTS National Championships, hosted by the University of Windsor, capping off a season defined by relentless perseverance. The Redbirds and Martlets showcased their depth of talent, with the men’s team finishing second and the women’s team third at the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) Championships earlier this season—laying the foundation for a strong showing at Nationals.
At Nationals, the Martlets earned impressive top-10 finishes. Third-year sprinter/relay runner Donna Ntambue led the charge, capturing bronze in the women’s 60m and emerging as the team’s top point scorer. Second-year jumper Rebecca Warcholak impressed in the triple jump, placing seventh with an 11.88m leap, narrowly missing her personal best.
The Redbirds showed versatility, with all three of their relay teams—4x200m, 4x400m, and 4x800m—having qualified for Nationals. The 4x400m and 4x800m squads’ valiant efforts resulted in seventh-place finishes for both. Third-year sprinter/relay runner Luca Nicoletti shone across both relays and the 300m sprint, while first-year distance runner Ben Gates and third-year middle-distance/relay runner Sean Adams showcased remarkable endurance, competing in multiple relays.
For fourth-year men’s team captain Devin Chapple, the season epitomized growth that extended beyond the track.
“It’s rewarding to look back at all the [personal bests] and incredible team moments that shaped my progression to captaincy,” Chapple wrote to The Tribune. “When you put in that work and see it pay off with a big performance, there’s no other feeling like it [.…] I see it as a privilege to train, and over time you realize how much fun you’re having.”
McGill’s track and field success at Nationals went beyond medals; it was a testament to shared ambition and the undeniable thrill of seeing dedication turn into achievement. With a powerful blend of veteran leadership and rising stars like Gates and Warcholak, the team’s future has never looked brighter.
McGill Men’s and Women’s Badminton
Despite a tough weekend at the RSEQ Championships, strong individual performances showed why McGill Badminton remains a force to be reckoned with.
Although several players battled injuries and illnesses throughout the tournament, the teams pushed through adversity and delivered impressive results. On the men’s side, third-year captain Nicolas Germain fought his way to a well-earned third place in men’s singles, showing tremendous perseverance and focus, especially in a tightly contested semifinal match.
The women’s team also had standout performances, led by fourth-year Eliana Zhang who captured gold in both women’s singles and women’s doubles, partnering with second-year Sammi Pan. By overcoming tough opponents such as L’Université du Québec à Montréal and Université Laval, they proved that McGill’s doubles play is defined not just by skill, but by exceptional teamwork and strategy.
Beyond the results on paper, what stood out most was the incredible team spirit. Germain emphasized in a statement to The Tribune how the cheering and support from teammates on the bench made a real difference during challenging matches. For Germain, who calls the team his “second family,” what defines McGill Badminton is its creation of lifelong friendships and a deep sense of belonging within the greater badminton community.
Germain also credited Head Coach Hooman Bagheri’s motivating and collaborative approach to fostering a supportive environment where players can thrive.
“Having an open-minded coach who listens to everything we have to say is invaluable,” Germain wrote.
Whether helping players refine specific skills or encouraging them to take on leadership roles, Hooman’s guidance has clearly been pivotal in shaping the team’s success.
Altogether, the RSEQ Championships were a true reflection of the team’s grit, chemistry, and desire to constantly improve, leaving them proud of how far they have come together.
McGill Men’s and Women’s Swimming
The McGill swim team delivered a historic performance at the 2025 U SPORTS National Championships, hosted by the University of Toronto, to solidify their place among Canada’s elite programs. Guided by Head Coach Peter Carpenter, the 2025 U SPORTS Women’s Coach of the Year, the Martlets and Redbirds demonstrated remarkable mental strength, resilience, and an unshakable team spirit.
The Martlets raised the bar at McGill, securing a historic second-place finish at Nationals—the highest in school history. Their achievement was fueled by their consistent effort, as they placed swimmers in nearly every final. Despite winning only five medals—two silvers and three bronzes—their ability to score points across the board was extraordinary.
The Martlets’ composure was built on the leadership of fourth-year captain Naomie Lo. Lo’s transformational approach to leadership uplifts her teammates, leaving a lasting impact on the team’s culture.
“Some [athletes] need in-depth conversations to work through their challenges, while others prefer to seek help after they’ve processed their emotions […] embracing that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to leadership has truly shaped how I support and guide those around me,” she wrote to The Tribune.
Lo’s compassionate leadership style led the Martlets, especially during the highly anticipated relay swim. Lo, fifth-year Elizabeth Ling, third-year Iris Tinmouth, and second-year Maya McGhan powered through the 4x200m freestyle relay, setting the pool ablaze as they shattered the team record by an incredible five seconds and claimed a well-deserved silver medal. Lo explained how some team members felt burdened by a perceived “curse”—believing a fourth-place finish was inevitable, behind the consistent top three teams (University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, University of Calgary) who are bolstered by a handful of Olympians.
This Nationals also marked the final appearance for Lo and Ling, inspiring an emotional and relentless fight to leave everything in the pool. The entire Martlet team continued to shine, with Lo’s prowess earning her silver in the 200m butterfly, while second-year Emilie de Chazal (200m butterfly), Ling (100m freestyle), and Tinmouth (800m freestyle) each claimed bronze.
The Redbirds also made waves, finishing fourth overall—a result that exceeded expectations and highlighted the program’s bright future. First-year phenom Loïc Courville-Fortin led the charge, breaking team and U SPORTS records in the 200m individual medley (IM) and 200m backstroke. His silver medal in the 200m IM, where he edged out Olympian Clement Secchi (BA ‘22)’s previous McGill record, was a highlight of the meet. Courville-Fortin added another podium finish with bronze in the 200m backstroke, while second-year Mats Baradat secured silver in the 400m freestyle. The Redbirds also set a new team record in the 4x100m IM relay, further underscoring their growing strength.
More than medals, it is the team’s culture that truly makes them stand out. Coach Carpenter described the team as “relentless,” an unstoppable group that rises to every challenge and never retreats. Captains Lo and sixth-year Bruno Dehem-Lemelin echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the familial bond that unites the team.
As the season concludes, all three teams look to the future with immense promise. With a blend of seasoned leaders and emerging talent, these programs are poised to continue their ascent, driven by a shared commitment to excellence. Their success at both the RSEQ Championships and U SPORTS Nationals is not just a reflection of their athletic ability, but also a celebration of the communities they have built—families that compete together, triumph together, and inspire together.
