Basketball MVP Callum Baker and swimming standout Nina Mollin were named the 2024 University of Toronto Varsity Blues T-Holders' athletes of the year on Saturday, April 6.
 
Tennis star Anastasiya Dyadchenko and baseball player of the year Owen Taylor earned the ninth annual Frank Pindar athlete of the year awards, which are given annually to athletes competing in a sport whose official season concludes with either an OUA or other university recognized championship event.
 
The Blues also honoured swimming veterans Graeme Aylward and Mahaylia Datars with the George M. Biggs Trophy and Dr. Clara Benson Honour Award, for their outstanding athletic achievement, scholarship and community service during their tenure at the University of Toronto.

In addition, Dyadchecnko and Bill Dongfang took home the 13th annual Varsity Blues rookie of the year awards.
 
T-Holders' Athletes of the Year
 
Nina Mollin delivered on an incredible season, achieving success across multiple disciplines in the pool. With crucial team points scored from multiple medals won by Mollin, the Blues women's swimming team secured both the U SPORTS and OUA championships this season.

Individually, Mollin earned recognition as a U SPORTS first-team All-Canadian, claiming national gold in the 100m fly, 200m fly, 200m IM, and the 400m medley relay, while also securing bronze in the 400m IM.

Additionally, she was awarded the OUA Dr. Jeno Tihanyi Individual Medley Excellence Award and named an OUA first-team all-star, with OUA gold medal finishes in the 100m fly, 200m fly, 200m IM, 400m IM, and the 400m medley relay, showcasing her remarkable talent and versatility in the pool.
 
Callum Baker had an exceptional year with the Varsity Blues basketball team, leading them to a first-place finish in the OUA Central division during the regular season, and a run to the OUA semifinals during the provincial postseason.

His scoring prowess saw him finish first in the OUA scoring race, ranking third in U SPORTS, averaging an impressive 23.4 points per game. He earned prestigious titles including U SPORTS first team All-Canadian and OUA player of the year, alongside OUA first team all-star recognition.

Additionally, he excelled in various statistical categories, ranking in the Top 10 in the OUA for total assists (81), three-pointers (55), free throw percentage (83.1), and total minutes played (776). Notably, Baker displayed remarkable consistency, scoring double-digit points in every game, achieving 20 or more points in 16 games, and surpassing 30 points in five games throughout the season.
 
Frank Pindar Athletes of the Year
 
Anastasiya Dyadchenko emerged as a key player on the Blues tennis team, helping U of T to an impressive 6-1 regular season record and team gold at the 2023 OUA Championships.

Dyadchecnko received multiple accolades, including both OUA player of the year and OUA rookie of the year. She also earned recognition as an OUA all-star, serving as the Blues No. 1 singles and doubles player throughout the season.

At the OUA championship, she displayed her skill with a perfect 3-0 record in doubles matches and a commendable 2-1 record in singles matches, further solidifying her impact on her team's success.
 
Owen Taylor assisted the Blues in their run to the OUA championship banner this season. Following an impressive 11-2 regular season and impeccable 4-0 regional record, Blues baseball went on to win in both the OUA semifinals and final to achieve their gold medal.

Individually, Taylor received accolades as the OUA championship MVP and earned a spot on the OUA first team all-star roster.

His remarkable stats include 37 hits, 19 walks, 33 runs, 32 RBIs, and a .416 batting average in 89 at-bats over 26 games played, placing him among the top performers on the Blues. Additionally, he showcased his versatility by pitching in the final inning of the OUA championship, securing a 6-5 extra-inning win with back-to-back strikeouts.
 
George M. Biggs Trophy & Clara Benson Honour Award
 
Graeme Aylward was honoured for both his exceptional achievements as a member of the Varsity Blues swimming team and as a student in U of T's industrial engineering program.

Academically, he has garnered numerous accolades including being named a U SPORTS academic All-Canadian, making the Deans Honour List, and receiving prestigious scholarships such as the Jeffery Skoll Scholarship in Engineering Business and the Chris Hadfield Scholarship, among others.

On the athletic front, Aylward has contributed significantly to his team's success, with highlights including being part of the U SPORTS team champions this season and achieving OUA team champions status five times. His leadership and sportsmanship are evident through his role as a team captain over multiple seasons, as well as receiving awards such as the William Daniel Leadership Award.

Moreover, Aylward has been actively involved in recreational, inter-faculty, and community-based activities, serving on the Varsity Board, co-chairing the Blues Engineering Executive, and volunteering as a tutor and mentor in industrial engineering.
 
Mahaylia Datars, a member of the Varsity Blues women's swimming team, has been involved throughout the University of Toronto campus.

Academically, Datars has achieved U SPORTS academic All-Canadian status and received numerous academic awards, including the Undergraduate Research Program Award in Nutritional Basic Science and the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award. She has also been recognized as a Dean's List Scholar in the Faculty of Arts and Science.

In the pool, Datars has achieved significant success, earning accolades such as U SPORTS second team All-Canadian and OUA first-team all-star honours, while contributing to three U SPORTS team championships. Datars has served as team co-captain and won the OUA and U SPORTS Community Service Award. Outside Varsity Blues competition, she also qualified for the 2024 World IRONMAN Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

Beyond sports and academics, Datars has been extensively involved in various roles, including co-president of the Varsity Board, president of U of T Women in Sport, and founding member of the Varsity Blues Life Sciences Club.
 
Rookies of the Year
 
Anastasiya Dyadchenko received multiple honours on the night as her Frank Pindar women's athlete of the year recognition was supplemented earlier in the evening with U of T women's rookie of the year.

Dyadchenko's incredible 2023 season, in which she claimed both OUA rookie and player of the year honours, saw her repeat the combo with the U of T annual awards.
 
Bill Dongfang had a remarkable first season with the Blues, helping the U of T men's swimming team clinch both the OUA and U SPORTS championship titles.

Individually, his accolades included earning U SPORTS first team all-Canadian and OUA first team all-star laurels, while also being named the OUA rookie of the year. He showcased his talent by securing national gold medals in the 100m and 200m butterfly events, setting a record in the latter.

Additionally, he claimed silver medals in the 200m freestyle, 400m medley relay, and 800m freestyle relay. At the OUA championship, Dongfang won gold in the 400m freestyle relay, silver in the 200m freestyle, and bronze in the 200m butterfly.

2023-24 Varsity Blues Major Award Winners
 
T-Holders' Athletes of the Year 
Presented annually to the student T-Holder - the U of T Athlete of the Year - for exhibiting the highest degree of excellence in athletics. 
Men's – Callum Baker (Basketball)
Women's – Nina Mollin (Swimming)
 
Frank Pindar Athletes of the Year
Presented annually to a varsity athlete competing in a sport whose official season concludes with either an OUA or other university recognized championship event, who exhibits the highest degree of excellence while representing the University of Toronto at competitions during the team's intercollegiate schedule for the current academic year. 
Male – Owen Taylor (Baseball)
Female – Anastasiya Dyadchenko (Tennis)

George M. Biggs Trophy 
Awarded to the graduating undergraduate male student-athlete who has contributed most to university athletics from the standpoint of leadership, sportsmanship and performance. 
Graeme Aylward (Swimming)
 
Dr. Clara Benson Honour Award
Awarded to the graduating undergraduate female student-athlete who has contributed most to university athletics from the standpoint of leadership, sportsmanship and performance. 
Mahaylia Datars (Swimming)
 
Rookies of the Year
Awarded to a male and female Varsity athlete in their first year of post-secondary eligibility that exhibit outstanding athletic performance. 
Male – Bill Dongfang (Swimming)
Female – Anastasiya Dyadchenko (Tennis)