Varsityblues.ca will highlight the nominees of U of T's major awards – male & female rookie of the year, Dr. Clara Benson honour award, George M. Biggs trophy, as well as the male & female Frank Pindar and T-Holders' athletes of the year - to be awarded at the 2018 intercollegiate athletic banquet on Thursday, April 5 at Chestnut Residence Ballroom.

The following Varsity Blues athletes were nominated by their coaches and chosen through the awards selection process as finalists for the male rookie of the year award, presented to a male athlete in their first year of competition who exhibits the highest degree of athletic excellence (in alpha order):
 
Hunter Atchison
Hockey
For the first time in a decade, a rookie led the Varsity Blues men's hockey team in scoring. Hunter Atchison made his mark in his first season in the Blue and White, leading the team with 11 goals and co-leading the squad with two game-winners. He ranked second on the team with 18 points and tied for the team lead with six multi-point games. Atchison was twice named the Varsity Blues athlete of the week and notched a season-high three points in three different games.
 
Will Corby
Football
Receiver Will Corby was named a member of the OUA all-rookie team following an outstanding first season with the Blues. Corby led U of T and all OUA rookie receivers in both receptions (27) and receiving yards (412) in 2017. Those same totals ranked Corby among the top 20 receivers across the entire province. The dynamic rookie started all eight games for the Varsity Blues, and scored two touchdowns. Corby's best outing saw him record a season-high seven receptions for 75 yards and one major versus McMaster, one of the best defences in the country.
 
Michael Deluca
Baseball
Outfielder Michael Deluca was an integral part of the Varsity Blues 2017 OUA baseball championship team. He earned both OUA rookie of the year and first team all-star honours. Deluca was instrumental to the Blues overpowering offence, which led the OUA in runs (108) and RBI (95) in 2017. The speedy outfielder registered 15 hits, six stolen bases and 18 runs over 15 regular season games and posted lines of .326 (AVG), .436 (OBP), and .392 (SLG). Deluca added an exclamation point to his first season with Toronto, knocking in three RBI in the Blues 8-3 championship win over Laurier.
 
Marko Mandekic
Soccer
A midfielder from Kitchener, Ont., Marko Mandekic was named a member of the OUA all-rookie team and was an East division first team all-star, while also being named to the inaugural U SPORTS all-rookie team. Mandekic proved to be a strong asset for the Blues, picking up two goals and four assists in his first season. He helped Toronto to a 10-2-4 regular season record, good for second place in the OUA East division and a first round playoff bye.
 
Evan Shadkami
Basketball
Evan Shadkami became the first Varsity Blues men's basketball player to earn national recognition in over 20 years. Shadkami was named a member of both the OUA and U SPORTS all-rookie teams after ranking third on the team with 10.6 points per game. The guard became more comfortable as the season passed, putting up some impressive numbers down the stretch: 14.6 points per game on 47.1% shooting in the final five games, while also averaging three triples per game during that run. He recorded a season-high 20 points vs Nipissing on Jan. 12.
 
Tommy Tang
Figure Skating
Tommy Tang had an excellent first season as the Varsity Blues figure skating team went undefeated, winning both the Fall and Winter Invitationals, as well as their third straight OUA championship banner. At the Winter Invitational, Tang placed third in the men's open freeskate and went onto garner the bronze medal in that same event at the OUA championship. He represented Canada on the junior grand prix circuit this season, while also placing fifth in the junior ice dance at the national championships.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite U of T athletes and teams, please visit www.varsityblues.ca. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat and Facebook for the latest and greatest in Varsity Blues intercollegiate athletics.