Day 2 of 6: Over the next six days, varsityblues.ca will highlight the nominees of U of T's major awards – male & female rookie of the year, Dr. Clara Benson award, George M. Biggs trophy, as well as the male & female T Holders' athletes of the year - to be awarded at the 2014 intercollegiate athletic banquet on Saturday, March 29 at Chestnut Residence Ballroom.
The following Varsity Blues athletes were nominated by their coaches and chosen through the awards selection process as finalists for the male rookie of the year award, presented to a male athlete in their first year of competition who exhibits the highest degree of athletic excellence (in alpha order):
Devon Bowyer - Soccer
First-year defender
Devon Bowyer had an outstanding rookie campaign with the men's soccer team. Bowyer was named an OUA East second team all-star, starting in 12-of-14 games this season. He was an integral member of U of T's backline as the Blues allowed only 18 goals against in 14 games. Bowyer helped the team to a fifth-place finish in the OUA East division and a quarter-final post-season finish.
Nicholas Burke - Basketball
Nick Burke was a starting guard for the Varsity Blues men's basketball in his rookie season. He led the team in assists per game and ranked third on the team, averaging 27 minutes per game. He was named a member of the OUA East all-rookie team while also averaging 4.8 points per game.
Shun Kong Cheung earned an OUA silver medal in the men's individual foil competition in his first year as a Varsity Blue. Cheung was named an
OUA all-star and helped
the Blues men's foil team to a second-place finish. He was an integral member of the team that finished third overall at the OUA championship.
Matt Dans - Swimming
Matt Dans won the OUA
and CIS championship titles as a member of the men's swimming team this season. He won an OUA gold medal as a member of the 200 medley relay team, while also earning silver in the 50 butterfly and 400 freestyle relay. At the national championships, the OUA all-star made the A final in two events, narrowly missing the podium with a fourth-place finish in the 50 butterfly and placing fifth in the 100 butterfly.
Danny Sprukulis - Football
Danny Sprukulis was the only first-year athlete to start on the Toronto Varsity Blues football offensive line this season. Sprukulis and the Blues
offence ranked fifth in the
OUA with 420 yards per game and was a vital part of U of T's run and pass protection. He was named a member of the OUA all-rookie team in helping the Blues to their best team finish since the 1993 Yates and Vanier Cup winning season.
Tanner Young-Schultz - Baseball
First-year catcher Tanner Young-Schultz had a phenomenal rookie season with the Varsity Blues baseball team. Young-Schultz led the
Blues and ranked fourth in the province with a
.521 on base percentage, while also topping the team with a .333 batting average. He led the Blues with 18 walks and ranked second on the team with 18 runs and eight stolen bases.
For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite U of T athletes and teams, please visit www.varsityblues.ca. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter or Facebook for the latest and greatest in Varsity Blues intercollegiate athletics.
