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, March 27. 

The following Varsity Blues athletes were nominated by their coaches and chosen through the awards selection process as finalists for the Clara Benson Award, given annually to the graduating female student-athlete who has contributed most to university athletics from the standpoint of academics, athletics, leadership and community service (in alphabetical order): 

Giulia Chimilovski - Volleyball 
A leader on-and-off the court, Chimilovski has been an active member of the U of T community since joining the Blues in 2022. A Commerce major from Toronto, she has supported other student-athletes as a Varsity Board representative, a student-athlete mentor, and as director of events for Blues in Commerce. Within the greater community she has utilized her athletic prowess to support younger athletes as a lead coach with the Leaside Volleyball Club, the Varsity Blues High Performance Volleyball Academy, and  EmpowerHER. She has garnered academic scholarships such as the Regents Performance Award and Donald S. McKeracher Scholarship, and athletically captured silver at the Canadian University and College Beach Volleyball Championships. 

Andie Girard - Rugby 
A Kinesiology and Nursing student, Girard has shined in a variety of spaces since becoming a Varsity Blue in 2020. While competing as a wing and fullback on the women's rugby team she has earned such team honours as MVP, Most Improved Player, and the Blue Heart Award—along with OUA all-star recognition. A U SPORTS academic All-Canadian, she has also served as a team captain since 2024, leading the women's rugby mentorship program, and serving as a Varsity Board rep. Outside of her team, Girard has competed with U of T women's flag football and in Tri-Campus volleyball and soccer. She has volunteered with Scott Mission and R3 Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic, supported Rugby Ontario as an intern, and competed for Rugby Ontario with the Ontario Blues and Ontario Ospreys, as well as with the Canadian women's rugby team earning an international cap. 

Faith Joseph - Basketball 
A Mechanical Engineering major from Mississauga, Joseph has kept a busy schedule since first landing on the U of T campus in 2020. A disruptive defensive force on the women's basketball team, she has been a team captain and holds the program record for most steals in a season (70) and a single game (9). Beyond the court she has been a Varsity Board rep, BVA executive member, and ICSN Emerging BIPOC leader. She has also been a community coach with Aspire 4 Higher, Lay-Up Youth Basketball, and TKT Basketball Camp. Additionally, she has supported her communities as a Training Ground Summit student organizer, The Life Church youth minister, AIA Toronto student leader, and Canadian Tire Play To Lead mentor. Academically, she is a two-time recipient of the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award and received the J.E. McAllister Scholarship. 

Lilla Mucsi - Fencing 
Since joining Varsity Blues fencing in 2023, Mucsi has delivered for her team both on-and-off the piste. A three-time OUA all-star, the Equity & Solidarity and Ethics, Society & Law student from Hungary has won two team relay gold medals and the Dr. Alex English Trophy as individual epee champion. She has been a member of two OUA Championships, including lifting the banner as team captain this past season. Her outstanding effort in the classroom has also been recognized, receiving the Varsity Blues Academic Excellence Award and Dean's List Scholar honours. She is a two-time recipient of the Isabel Bader Scholarship. Within the U of T community, she has served as a Varsity Board rep, along with a peer educator and information resource coordinator with the U of T Sexual Education Centre. Mucsi has also gone beyond campus volunteering with University Health Network, Planned Parenthood Toronto, The Period Pulse, and Justice for Migrant Workers. 

Olivia Pulsifer - Figure Skating 
Well decorated throughout her Varsity Blues career, joining the U of T figure skating team in 2022, Pulsifer has displayed both athletic and academic talent. An OUA all-star, she has accumulated gold, two silvers, and a bronze while competing with U of T at provincial championships. This culminated this season with the Blues reclaiming the overall title, bringing back to U of T the OUA banner. A team captain, the Pharmacology major has also led by example academically as a three-time Varsity Blues Academic Excellence recipient. Within the greater figure skating community, she also serves as a Skate Ontario official, supporting provincial competition and youth athlete development. 

Aayah Shalaby - Squash 
A team captain with the women's squash team since joining the Blues in 2021, Shalaby has been a dedicated athlete and Engineering student. In recent years, her team has earned back-to-back provincial medals, claiming OUA silver in 2025 and OUA bronze in 2026. Beyond the squash team, she has also supported the U of T engineering community via the Jr. DaVinci Engineering Enrichment Program. A Dean's Merit Award recipient, she has extended her support even further assisting The Compass Food Bank. As well, she created Honeycrisp Bakery, a non-profit start-up supporting humanitarian initiatives. 

Sarah White - Track & Field / Cross Country 
Recipient of the OUA and U SPORTS Community Service Awards, White has dedicated her time to supporting women in engineering. Since joining the Blues cross country and track and field teams in 2020, the Biomedical Engineering and Engineering Science student has spearheaded several initiatives. The U SPORTS academic All-Canadian currently serves as vice-president and previously held the position of external affairs director with the Women in Science and Engineering U of T Chapter. She has also been club director for CUBEC (Club for Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering). Her work has launched a lecture series, hosted community building events, and organized technical workshops in support of women in science and engineering at U of T.