MONTREAL – The major award nominees have been announced for McGill University’s 48th annual athletics awards gala, set for April 14 at Plaza Centre-Ville on Boulevard Robert Bourassa. Fans can catch all the action, including the inspiring stories of athletic achievement, as the event will be streamed live for free.
The Major D. Stuart Forbes Trophy
In the spotlight, five exceptional athletes are vying for the prestigious Major D. Stuart Forbes Trophy, awarded to the male student-athlete who has brought the most recognition to McGill University through his athletic achievements. Let’s dive into the profiles of these outstanding nominees:
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Loïc Courville-Fortin, a sophomore swimmer from Repentigny, Que., dazzled at the U SPORTS championship with his performance, claiming one gold, a silver, and three bronze medals, which earned him first-team All-Canadian honors.
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Samuel Hepworth, a track and field distance runner from Montreal, demonstrated his prowess by winning gold at the RSEQ conference championship and silver at the national level, also earning second-team All-Canadian accolades.
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Henry “Harry” Corkum, a junior rugby player from London (UK), has made a significant impact, scoring a league-leading seven tries across six games and receiving first-team All-Canadian recognition.
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Charles-Antoine Dumont, a junior hockey player from Lévis, Que., excelled on the ice, finishing fourth in the league scoring race with 33 points, including 15 goals in 28 regular season games, and attaining OUA first-team all-star status.
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The men’s rowing team’s coxless pair, Edison Luke and Markus Maile, both from Vancouver, B.C., made waves by winning gold at the conference championships and silver at the Nationals, earning OUA first-team all-star honors.
The Gladys Bean Trophy
On the women’s side, five highly talented athletes are competing for the Gladys Bean Trophy, presented to the female athlete of the year:
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Sophie Courville, a senior distance runner from Montreal, earned RSEQ athlete of the year distinction for her stellar performance at the conference championships, winning gold and helping Canada secure bronze at the 2026 FISU World University Cross-Country Championships in Italy.
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Iris Tinmouth, a senior swimmer from Comox, B.C., made an impressive mark by winning four gold medals at the RSEQ championships and setting three school records, complemented by additional medals at the Nationals.
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Sonia Dunn, a junior artistic swimmer from Ottawa, led her team to a CUASL national championship title and was named athlete of the meet for her three gold medal performance.
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Lily Rose Chatila, a third-year guard from Quebec City, finished fourth in the league scoring race and received RSEQ first-team all-star recognition.
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Julie Bortolato, a sophomore pole-vaulter from Mountain View, Calif., broke a school record that stood for 22 years by vaulting 3.76m, claiming gold at the league championship and finishing fifth at nationals.
A Proud Tradition
Beyond these major awards, a total of 10 major trophies will be presented at the gala, alongside MVP awards for McGill’s 26 varsity teams, celebrating a myriad of accomplishments throughout the athletics year. Each athlete’s journey is filled with dedication, tenacity, and remarkable achievements, making the celebrations all the more significant.
Honoring Excellence
As we look forward to the event, it’s important to highlight the profound impact that these athletes have on the university community and the representation they provide for McGill on both national and international sports stages. The stories of their triumphs not only inspire fellow students but also foster a sense of pride among alumni and supporters of McGill athletics.
Thus, as April 14 approaches, anticipation builds for a night honoring exceptional talent, hard work, and the spirit of sportsmanship at McGill University.
This structured article navigates through the key nominees for the McGill University Athletics Awards, detailing their accomplishments while maintaining engaging and informative content.