WATERLOO, Ont. -- Explore Waterloo Region has named the finalists for the Region's Athlete of the Year and Outstanding Athletic Achievement awards, and it features two highly-decorated Golden Hawks. 

WATERLOO REGION ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD FINALIST – KATIE COSGRIFFE 

First-year Golden Hawks swimmer Katie Cosgriffe was announced as a finalist for the Athlete of the Year Award. The annual award is given to an individual who competes at the highest level of their sport, represents the region on an international stage, and/or is a professional athlete. 

Cosgriffe made her Paralympic debut in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games where she brought home a bronze medal in the S10 100m butterfly and became the first Golden Hawk swimmer to win a Paralympic medal since 2000. She now has a combined 16 medals (10 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze) in global and national events. 

Her international success translated to her first year as a Golden Hawk.

The Laurier swim team Rookie of the Year set three Canadian Para records this past season at the Dean Boles Divisional Championship (50m and 100m fly, 50m backstroke), and made two new world S10 markers at the OUA Championships (100m back, 200m fly).  

Cosgriffe checks each box as she has made significant noise around the Para swimming world since her first Canada Games in 2022, and subsequently appeared in three Canadian Paralympic Trials and the 2023 Para Swimming World Championships. 

Records? Cosgriffe smashes them. She helped her team set a new Canadian record in the S10 category at the World Championships in the 4x100m mixed medley relay.

At the 2023 Bell Canadian Swim Trials, she set a new S10 record in the 100m butterfly, and a year later at the Canadian Paralympic Trials she proceeded to beat that record again. 

Cosgriffe is currently completing a double degree in Business Administration and Financial Math.  

OUTSTANDING ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FINALIST – TAYLOR ELGERSMA 

Former Golden Hawks quarterback Taylor Elgersma was named a finalist for the Outstanding Achievement Award that honours athletes at the collegiate and amateur levels.  

Elgersma's career as a Golden Hawk has been highly decorated. The two-time OUA MVP, 2024 Hec Crighton winner, and OUA male Athlete of the Year led the purple and gold to the program's ninth Yates Cup championship, and its first Uteck Bowl win and Vanier Cup appearance since 2005. 

He became the first U SPORTS quarterback to be invited to the Reese's Senior Bowl, the most prestigious college football all-star game that kickstarted his NFL draft process.  

Elgersma was drafted 18th overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2025 CFL Draft, however he was not called on the NFL's draft night. That did not stop the Green Bay Packers from sending him an invitation to their rookie minicamp, resulting in putting pen to paper, signing an NFL contract with the team.

He has also been nominated for U SPORTS male Athlete of the Year, hoping to add another piece of hardware to the already full shelf. 

"On behalf of our entire team, I am thrilled to congratulate Katie Cosgriffe on her nomination for Waterloo Region's Athlete of the Year and Taylor Elgersma on his nomination for the Waterloo Region Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award," said Laurier's Associate Director of Interuniversity Sport Programs, Ryan Lannan. 

"Katie's dedication and excellence in swimming, alongside Taylor's outstanding performance in football, exemplify the spirit and talent that our student athletes bring to their respective sports. Their hard work, perseverance, and achievements have not only brought pride to the Golden Hawks but also inspired many within our community."

"We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and wish them the best of luck in this prestigious recognition."