A skilled, multi-sport athlete growing up, Brooklyn Kostiuk鈥檚 primary focus will be on soccer as she begins her university education.
The graduate of Rutland Senior Secondary has committed to Toronto鈥檚 Ryerson University Rams women鈥檚 soccer program for the 2017-18 season.
Kostiuk, who played for the RSS Voodoos and is also a member of the Thompson Okanagan Football Club, brings a diverse skill set to Ryerson鈥檚 burgeoning offence. One of her main athletic strengths is her speed, which will make her a threat both on the flank and at the top of the Rams formation.
鈥淎s an athlete, I am committed to reaching goals for myself as well as for my team. I am dedicated to improving my weaknesses and building upon my strengths,鈥� Kostiuk said. 鈥淭raining is super important to me and it is significant to (maintain) standards and reach goals.鈥�
Brooklyn has a proven track record in a variety of other sports, including track and field, and is also an accomplished hockey player, winning a bronze medal at the 2014 BC Winter Games.
鈥淏rooklyn is a welcome addition to our team with brilliant speed, a positive attitude and strong work ethic,鈥� said Rams associate coach, Tina Cook of her latest recruit. 鈥淪he is a high achiever in the classroom making her a great fit for Ryerson both academically and athletically.鈥�
Despite her success off the pitch, soccer is where Kostiuk has found her true calling and enjoyed the bulk of her success. She currently competes in the BC Soccer Premier League with TOFC, and has won the British Columbia Soccer Provincial Championships in 2015 with 琉璃神社 United, her former club.
Athletic skills aside, Kostiuk prides herself on her leadership, as she noted when asked to reflect on her athletic career to date.
鈥淭he highlight of my athletic career would have to be being named captain of an all-boys hockey team in 2011,鈥� Kostiuk said. 鈥淭his highlight is really important to me because even though it was a minor hockey league, it shows the leadership I brought to a team as a young kid.
鈥淚 have been moving up (to higher) leagues in soccer the last couple of years and I have been a new player to many teams. I hope to regain a leadership role one day in my future playing soccer鈥攈opefully at Ryerson.鈥�
Joining a new team means meeting and having to connect with new people, especially new teammates. But that is not something Kostiuk worries will take long with her newest club.
鈥淚 chose Ryerson because the team was super inviting and friendly. (On my visit) I was at the university with some of the girls and they made me feel like I was already part of the team,鈥� she added. 鈥淭he girls went out of their way to help me feel at home and welcomed.鈥�
An honour and work ethic roll student, and a Principal鈥檚 List award winner at Rutland Senior Secondary, Kostiuk will be studying in the Biomedical Sciences program beginning in September.
