WATERLOO, Ont. - Golden Hawks Nicole Schindler and Ian Young are the Laurier Athletes of the Week, presented by The Hawk Shop. 

Schindler, a Waterloo, Ont., native pursuing a Master of Science, led the women's cross-country team to ninth place at the 2025 OUA championships hosted by Queen's at the CFB Kingston Fort Henry Cross Country Trail.  

She ran the 8km course in 30:19.8, earning a 39th place finish. This was her highest place in an 8 kilometre race this year.  

Laurier head coach Ian Clancy said Schindler has been the team's top runner in every race this season.

"Nicole is new to Laurier this year but comes with lots of experience running at a high level," Clancy said. "This was her best time of the year over 8 kilometres when it mattered the most." 

Young, a fifth-year business major from London, Ont., led the men's cross-country team to a 12th place finish at the conference championships.  

The 2024-25 team MVP ran the course in 25:28.9 and finished 38th. This was also Young's highest place in an 8 kilometre race this year.  

"Ian was a team captain and has been the top runner on the team for four years now. This year's 38th-place finish comes over a tough course and against all the best runners in Ontario," Clancy said. Young was the team's top performer all season.  

This is Schindler's first career Laurier Athlete of the Week award and second for Young.