Helping to recap our 2021-22 season, varsityblues.ca will highlight the nominees and winners of U of T's major awards – rookies of the year, Dr. Clara Benson honour award, George M. Biggs trophy, as well as the Frank Pindar and T-Holders' athletes of the year.
The following Varsity Blues athletes were nominated by their coaches and chosen through the awards selection process as finalists for the rookie of the year award, women, presented to an athlete in their first year of competition who exhibits the highest degree of athletic excellence. The winner was then voted by the Varsity Board through a secret ballot.
(In alpha order):
Winnie Choi – Tennis
Named the OUA rookie of the year, Winnie Choi did not drop a single match during the 2021 campaign. Choi went 4-0 (2-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles) in OUA regional qualifying play. She then followed up that performance with a victory in her lone match of the OUA final. Her Varsity Blues team went on to win the 2021 OUA championship.
Hannah Harkin – Soccer
Hannah Harkin was named the OUA central division rookie of the year, before being named to the U SPORTS all-rookie team. With nine goals, Harkin finished third in the OUA, while her ten points put her fourth in the conference. The Varsity Blues went on to finish second in the OUA central division with a 6-3-1 record.
Abby Howland – Hockey
Abby Howland was a member of the Varsity Blues women's hockey team who finished the regular season without a regulation loss, and spent much of 2022 ranked as the number one team in the country. Scoring two goals and registering five assists, Howland's seven points helped her to be named the OUA East rookie of the year, and honoured with an OUA all-rookie team selection.
Raili Kary – Swimming
Raili Kary was a member of the Varsity Blues women's swimming team that went on to win the 2022 OUA and 2022 U SPORTS championship. Named a second team all-Canadian, Kary swam to a silver medal at the national event in the 100m backstroke. Named the OUA swimmer of the year, OUA rookie of the year and an OUA first team all-star, Kary won three individual gold medals at the 2022 OUA championships, along with two more gold medals in relay races.
Tristan McElrea – Rugby
Despite not getting to compete in a playoff due to the pandemic, Tristan McElrea helped guide the Varsity Blues women's rugby team to a 2-2 regular-season record. For her efforts, McElrea was not only named an OUA Russell Division all-star but was also named the OUA Russell Division rookie of the year.
Julia Murmann – Volleyball
An outside hitter for the Varsity Blues women's volleyball team that finished the regular season with a perfect 14-0 record, before winning an OUA silver medal, Julia Murmann led all U SPORTS rookies by averaging 3.44 kills per set. That same number had her finish third in the entire OUA. Murmann was named the OUA East rookie of the year, an OUA first team all-star, and was named to the OUA East all-rookie team. At the national level, she was named a U SPORTS second team all-Canadian, selected to the U SPORTS all-rookie team, and was also named the 2021-22 U SPORTS rookie of the year. Her Varsity Blues team went on to finish fifth at the U SPORTS championship.
WINNER: Julia Murmann – Volleyball
