ryersonrams.ca will be highlighting all six major awards nominees over the next week leading up to the event.

Today, we are proud to release the finalists for the Ryersonian Male Athlete of the Year. This award is given to the most outstanding male student-athlete in a sport where recognition by other coaches as an all-star, MVP, OUA medalist or qualify for CIS finals or OUA finals are important criteria in the nomination. Exceptional skills as demonstrated by their sport specific statistics are essential to this recognition. Leadership and sportsmanship is secondary.

The following Ryerson Rams athletes were nominated by their coaches and chosen as finalists through the awards selection process.

Viktor Anastasov - Men's Soccer

Sophomore forward Viktor Anastasov led the Ryerson Rams men's soccer team to third-place in the OUA East this past fall. The Toronto native was named an OUA first-team all-star after finishing third in the conference with a stellar 12 goals scored in 14 games. Anastasov scored more than half of those markers against the other top teams in the East, including three against both Toronto and Carleton. The politics and governance major helped the Rams to eight wins and 35 goals scored throughout the regular season, both of which were program records, as well as a conference quarter-final appearance.

Jahmal Jones - Men's Basketball

Guard Jahmal Jones guided the Rams men's basketball team to their first CIS Final 8 appearance in over a decade this season. The Mississauga native was 14th in OUA scoring with 15.5 points per game while appearing in all 22 regular season matches for Ryerson where he averaged 34 minutes per game (2nd in OUA). Jones picked up 45 steals on the year, averaging just over two per game which ranked him fourth in the conference. The business technology management major tallied 16.7 points per game in six playoff matches, leading the men to an OUA silver medal and a sixth-place finish at the national championships.

Greg Payne - Men's Hockey

Men's hockey forward Greg Payne helped the Ryerson Rams to seventh place in the OUA East this past season, and was named the team's most valuable player after co-leading the squad with 22 points. The Thornhill, Ont. native finished the season as a point-a-game player, and also served as an assistant captain with men, helping them to their first winning season in 23 years. Payne was tied for 14th in the OUA with 13 goals scored, and was an offensive juggernaut in the first round of the OUA playoffs, notching three goals and four assists in just three games played.

For full coverage leading up to the 64th Annual Athletic Awards Celebration as well as nominees announcements, follow us at www.ryersonrams.ca or @ryersonrams #RAMMYS on Twitter!