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 T-Holders' athlete of the year, presented annually to the athlete who has exhibited the highest degree of athletic excellence (in alphabetical order):
Maxime Gratton - Volleyball
Gratton delivered one of the best single seasons in U of T men's volleyball program history in 2025-26. With a powerful serve and a plethora of attacks from the outside, the Developmental Psychology & Education graduate student from Ottawa led the entire province in total points (340) and points per set (4.5). He additionally ranked second in the OUA in both total service aces (37) and aces per set (0.49), recording a service ace in all but two of his 19 regular season matches played. His 340 points placed him fourth in the U of T record book for best single season performances. His outstanding play was rewarded with OUA first team all-star and OUA Player of the Year honours, as well as U SPORTS first team All-Canadian recognition.
Aiden Grout - Track & Field
Named both the 2026 U SPORTS and OUA Male Field Athlete of the Year, Grout swept the top step of the podium in his signature event this season. A Sustainability Management major from Pitt Meadows, B.C., the Varsity Blues veteran won his fourth career OUA gold and third career U SPORTS gold in the high jump. He was the lone athlete to clear 2.18m in the field of 12 at the national championships and the only to clear 2.17m of 17-entrants at the provincial championships. The OUA all-star and U SPORTS All-Canadian also registered the best high jump from across the country this season, clearing a career best 2.23m at the Texas A&M Charlie Thomas Invitational in early-February.
Andrew Herman - Swimming
Earning four national medals and setting two new U SPORTS records, Herman was named U SPORTS Male Swimmer of the Meet and a U SPORTS first team All-Canadian after his sensational performance at the national championships. The Kinesiology major from Redondo Beach, California claimed U SPORTS gold in both the 50m and 100m backstroke events, establishing new U SPORTS record times in both. He joined his teammates for two more U SPORTS silver medals in the 4x100m medley and 4x100m freestyle relays. His multiple podiums helped the U of T men earn the overall team silver. The OUA all-star also secured this season two provincial golds (100m backstroke – OUA Record, 50m backstroke – OUA Record), one silver (200m backstroke) and two relay golds (4x50m freestyle, 4x50m medley – OUA Record) in the U of T men's 22nd consecutive OUA banner victory at the provincial championships.
Alexei Ivanov - Soccer
Captain for the Varsity Blues men's soccer team, Ivanov did everything he could to help U of T secure OUA gold. From his centre back position, the Applied Computing student from Richmond Hill shut down the attack of opponents all season long, contributing in the Blues conceding just eight goals across 12 regular season matches. Finishing first in the OUA with a 10-1-1 (W-L-T) record, that stellar defensive play continued into the postseason where Toronto conceded just two goals across three OUA playoff games, including a 2-0 shutout of York in the championship final. Ivanov's tremendous effort was rewarded with OUA Championship player of the match as U of T lifted their first provincial banner since 2010 and earned their spot at the U SPORTS national championship.
Chris Joseph - Football
A Social Science student from Richmond, B.C., Joseph set new U of T, OUA and U SPORTS records in his third campaign in the Blue and White. A dynamic playmaker and reliable target, he registered a new single-season national record of 77 catches across eight regular season contests this fall. He was able to set the new benchmark after tying the U SPORTS single-game receptions record twice coming down with 19 catches in road contests at Carleton and York. The shifty dynamo would record five or more receptions in seven games this season, totaling 863 receiving yards to rank third in the province and fourth in the country. Adding four touchdown receptions to his season tallies, Joseph would be named an OUA first team all-star and U SPORTS second team All-Canadian.
Josiah Mayers-Noel - Wrestling
Capturing a national silver medal at the U SPORTS Championships, Mayers-Noel delivered the top result among Blues wrestlers this season. An Arts & Science student from Mississauga, he claimed a berth to the 76kg national gold medal match after a perfect 4-0 round-robin effort, securing wins over opponents from Lethbridge, Western, York, and Alberta. His second-place finish would garner him U SPORTS second team All-Canadian honours. This was improvement on his performance at the OUA Championships just a few weeks prior where a 3-1 round-robin effort placed him into the bronze medal match. Mayers-Noel would dominate his opponent at the provincial showcase securing a 14-3 technical fall victory to earn the third step on the podium and his first medal as a Varsity Blue.
