Varsityblues.ca will highlight the nominees of U of T’s major awards – men’s and women’s rookies of the year, Dr. Clara Benson honour award, George M. Biggs trophy, as well as the men’s and women’s Frank Pindar and T-Holders’ athletes of the year – to be announced at the Varsity Blues Awards Gala on Friday, April 4.
The following Varsity Blues athletes were nominated by their coaches and chosen through the awards selection process as finalists for the women’s rookie of the year award, presented to an athlete in her first year of competition, who exhibits the highest degree of athletic excellence (in alphabetical order):
Shirin Batra – Squash
In her first season with the Varsity Blues, Batra helped the U of T women’s squash team to OUA silver. Along with the team success, individually she was named an OUA all-star after posting a 4-1 match record at the OUA championships, winning 67 percent of points. Additionally, at the Canadian University and College Championships, she claimed an individual silver medal in the Women’s Open category.
Julia Liu – Volleyball
Emerging as a key player on the Varsity Blues women’s volleyball team, Liu helped the Blues to a 12-8 regular season record and OUA semifinal appearance. Coming on strong following the OUA winter break, Liu registered over 20 points in five consecutive matches during the month of January. She would finish the season second on the Blues and sixth in the OUA with 3.41 kills and 4.0 points per set. Her outstanding second half surge included a season-high 25 kill outing in a win over Waterloo and a 22 kill performance in the Blues quarter-final victory over the top seeded Queen’s Gaels.
Lyla McKinnon – Hockey
Earning the starting role in net for the Varsity Blues women’s hockey team, McKinnon played a big part in U of T’s team success, including winning the OUA McCaw Cup and U SPORTS national bronze. Registering 12 wins, including two shutouts, McKinnon finished the regular season with a 2.24 goals against average and .915 save percentage. She followed that up with a perfect 5-0 record during the OUA playoffs, posting an OUA playoff best 1.20 goals against average and .953 save percentage, and earning McCaw Cup MVP honours. She then added another two wins to her tally at the U SPORTS championship, helping the Blues defeat UNB in the national quarter-finals and Concordia in the bronze medal match.
Sydney Stewart – Swimming
Stewart dived right in with the Varsity Blues swimming team, contributing to the team’s outstanding success, winning the OUA championship and finishing fourth overall at the U SPORTS national championships. Individually, Stewart earned OUA first team all-star honours after securing gold as part of the Blues 400 freestyle relay team. She would add four more provincial medals to her total, earning silver in the 100 butterfly, 200 butterfly, and 200 IM, while picking up bronze in the 400 IM. Then at her first U SPORTS national championships, a very busy Stewart placed fourth with her teammates in the 800 freestyle relay, eighth in the 200 IM, 12th in the 100 butterfly, and 17th in the 200 butterfly.
Alexia Verches – Softball
A catcher and power hitter on the Blues softball team, Verches earned OUS Championship MVP recognition as a key component to U of T’s OUS championship victory this season. Providing excellent defence behind the plate, Verches was also a major part of the Blues offence this season with a team-high 27 RBI on 30 hits. Her strong bat, which saw a .417 batting average, consistently provided extra base hits as she tallied four doubles, six triples, and four home runs across the Blues 2024 campaign. Highlighting her outstanding ability to come up big in clutch moments was a three RBI and three run performance in the Blues 11-10 OUS championship final victory over Laurier.
Kaira Xuan – Tennis
Contributing in the U of T women’s tennis teams OUA championship winning season, Xuan delivered when it counted most during her debut season. Unmatched all season long, Xuan went undefeated in all women’s doubles and singles matches in both the regular season and at the OUA championship. This allowed the Blues to complete a perfect 8-0 regular season and 3-0 postseason en route to the OUA banner. As well, it led to led to the provincial gold medalist also receiving the OUA Rookie of the Year award.