Laurier Athletics and Recreation is proud to announce the four finalists for the 2026 Outstanding Women of Laurier Award, celebrating the exceptional achievements of women student-athletes who have made a significant impact academically, athletically, and in the community.
Since 2006, the Outstanding Women of Laurier event has raised more than $550,000 for women's athletic programs, scholarships, and the department's mentor coaching program.
This year's finalists (in alphabetical order) are Katarina Brezovan, Abby Byers, Kamryn Szumlinski, and Hayley Szymanowski.
The winner will be announced at the Outstanding Women of Laurier Gala, taking place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Tapestry Hall in Cambridge, Ont.
Sophie Kotsopoulos (BA, '04), Group Vice President of Integrated Marketing with the National Hockey League, will be the host of this year's event. Kotsopoulos is a former four-year student-athlete with Laurier's women's lacrosse team and was a part of the team that won the first-ever OUA title for the program.
Fellow alum Sarah Wilkes (BA, '12), a Golden Hawks Hall of Famer who was a women's curling Olympic bronze medalist at the Milano Cortina Winter Games, and current student-athlete Katie Cosgriffe, a 2024 Paralympic Summer Games swimming bronze medalist, will highlight a panel presented by RBC and moderated by Laurier professor and sport psychologist Dr. Kim Dawson.
Katarina Brezovan - Swimming
A third-year computer science major from Bedford, N.S., Katarina Brezovan is a dedicated leader both in and out of the pool as a member of the Laurier varsity swim team. A swimmer for 17 years, including 14 seasons of competitive experience, Brezovan currently serves as women's team captain, where she is recognized by teammates as a compassionate leader and trusted mentor who leads through communication, empathy, and support.
Beyond Laurier, Brezovan has made a significant impact in grassroots sport development in Nova Scotia. She serves as head coach of the Waeg Waves Swim Team, where her athlete-first coaching philosophy emphasizes positive environments, strong relationships, and a balance between enjoyment and hard work. Her leadership and commitment to athlete development were recognized in 2024 when she was named Nova Scotia Summer Swimming Coach of the Year, an honour voted on by coaches across the province following her first season as head coach.
In her role, Brezovan works closely with swimmers at the earliest stages of competitive participation, helping young athletes build confidence and a lasting connection to the sport. She also organized a pre-season stroke development camp to support new and returning swimmers, further strengthening athlete engagement and retention within the program.
A passionate advocate for inclusive sport environments, Brezovan also contributes to Motionball at Laurier as a varsity athlete ambassador and marketing director, raising awareness and support for Special Olympics athletes. Through her leadership in coaching, athlete advocacy, and community involvement, she continues to promote accessible and welcoming sport opportunities while serving as a role model for young athletes and aspiring female coaches.
Abby Byers - Track & Rugby
A third-year arts major, Abby Byers has excelled both academically and athletically while demonstrating a strong commitment to leadership and mentorship through sport. The Woolwich, Ont., native carries an impressive 10.2 GPA and was named an OUA women's rugby second team all-star in 2024.
Before arriving at Laurier, Byers was an elite alpine ski racer who ranked 10th in Canada in downhill skiing. Since transitioning away from competition, she has dedicated herself to developing the next generation of athletes. Byers currently coaches youth alpine ski racers at Chicopee Ski Club and Devil's Glen Country Club, returning to the clubs where she first learned the sport to mentor young athletes in positive, supportive environments.
Through her coaching, Byers emphasizes confidence, teamwork, and goal-setting while helping athletes build both technical skills and life lessons such as resilience and self-belief. Her leadership has helped guide teams to strong provincial performances while fostering an environment that prioritizes enjoyment, personal growth, and long-term development.
Kamryn Szumlinski - Hockey
A third-year kinesiology and physical education major from Waterloo, Ont., Kamryn Szumlinski has established herself as a leader on and off the ice as a member of the Laurier women's hockey team. Maintaining a 9.75 GPA, Szumlinski pairs her academic and athletic commitments with an extensive record of coaching, mentorship, and community involvement across the Waterloo region.
Szumlinski is deeply committed to creating inclusive, supportive sport environments that prioritize athlete confidence, enjoyment, and long-term development. She currently serves as an assistant coach with the Waterloo Ravens while also collaborating with the Grand River Mustangs Girls Hockey Association, mentoring young athletes and helping them overcome confidence and participation barriers.
Beyond the rink, Szumlinski contributes to sport development through a variety of leadership roles. She is a sport manager for women's hockey at the 2026 Ontario Summer Games, supporting event operations and advocating for female athletes, while also coaching initiatives such as the MLSE Laurier Girls Ball Hockey program and volunteering with community programs including Moovin' and Groovin', where she provides individualized physical activity support for youth with learning disabilities.
Through her work as a coach, camp counsellor, and mentor, Szumlinski consistently promotes equity and access for girls and underrepresented participants in sport.
Hayley Szymanowski - Hockey
A fifth-year Criminology major from Cambridge, Ont., Hayley Szymanowski has been a key leader within the Laurier women's hockey program, serving as team captain for the past two seasons. A three-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian (2021-22, 2023-24, 2024-25) and the team's Most Valuable Player in 2022-23, Szymanowski has demonstrated consistent excellence both on the ice and in the classroom.
Beyond varsity athletics, Szymanowski has made a significant impact in Waterloo Region through her role as an Auxiliary Officer with the Waterloo Regional Police Service. Through the Reach For It program, she works with children and youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), helping create inclusive environments where participants can safely explore activities, including sport, while building confidence and a sense of belonging.
Szymanowski has also supported youth sport development through coaching and mentorship roles with the Grand River Mustangs Girls Hockey Association and as a volunteer coach with the MLSE Foundation's House of Hockey girls-only program. Through these opportunities, she has helped young athletes develop fundamental hockey skills while encouraging confidence and participation in the sport.
Her leadership experiences as a Laurier varsity athlete have further shaped her approach to mentorship and community involvement. Known for leading with consistency, empathy, and accountability, Szymanowski credits sport with teaching her the value of resilience and perseverance - lessons she continues to pass on to the young athletes she supports in the community.
For more information about the Outstanding Women of Laurier Gala, or to purchase tickets online, please visit laurierathletics.com/owl
