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 men's Frank Pindar athlete of the year award, given annually to an athlete competing in a sport whose official season concludes with either an OUA or other university recognized championship event (in alphabetical order):
Zach Abu-Ali - Lacrosse
Playing a pivotal role in the Varsity Blues return to the CUFLA postseason, Abu-Ali served as a primary goal-scorer for U of T in his debut campaign. Appearing in nine regular season contests, the Finance and Economics student from Mississauga would finish near the top of the league leaderboard in several statistical categories. Abu-Ali finished fourth in total goals (35), sixth in total points (51), and eighth in total assists (16). Ranking Top 10 across the board earned him both CUFLA Rookie of the Year and CUFLA All-Canadian honours.
Clarence Chau - Badminton
A Mathematics major from Markham, Chau helped lead the Varsity Blues badminton team to a third consecutive OUA Championship banner. Receiving OUA all-star honours, he would go undefeated during the provincial showcase. This included four wins in the No. 1 men's doubles spot for U of T and one victory in No. 1 mixed doubles position. Across all five matches played, Chau never dropped a single set. On the national stage he also contributed men's doubles victories as the Blues earned a second straight Canadian University College Championship banner.
Diego Fuentes - Baseball
Delivering on a sensational sophomore campaign with the Blues, Fuentes was critical in both Toronto's run through the OUA and CNUC postseasons, winning both the provincial and national banners. Appearing in 23 total contests through the fall, the Kinesiology major from B.C., finished with a .536 batting average, coming up with clutch hit after clutch hit. With 12 of his 45 hits resulting in extra bases, including four home runs, Fuentes registered a total of 27 RBI while also crossing the plate himself for 28 runs. He would be named an OUA all-star, OUA Most Valuable Hitter, and CUNC Tournament MVP.
Seraphim Jarov - Fencing
Jarov struck gold twice, helping the Varsity Blues men's fencing team claim their tenth straight OUA banner this season. The epee specialist and PhD student from Vancouver converted a perfect 10-0 record into the Desjarlais Trophy and OUA all-star honours as individual epee champion. He then joined his epee teammates on Day 2 for the relay, going 6-0 and notching the gold medal clinching point in a decisive 45-22 event final win over second-seed Western.
Hugo Li - Figure Skating
Li, an Ecology and Evolution student from Markham, added to a career medal tally as the Blues figure skating team won the 2026 OUA Championship. Receiving OUA all-star honours, he earned three provincial medals at the showcase winning the Senior Pair Freeskate and Freekskate Fours, while grabbing silver in the Star 8/9 Couples Dance.
Ali Sayli - Water Polo
A goalie from Turkey on the men's water polo team, Sayli was once again a pivotal piece in the Blues championship run to a ninth straight provincial title. The Economics major aided in a perfect 9-0 invitational record for U of T this season, while also receiving NCWP Most Valuable Goalie honours following two postseason victories at the provincial championship. The Blues would average just eight goals against across their 11 games played this season, while averaging over 19 goals for at the other end of the pool.
