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Kelowna soccer product commits to Ryerson

Brooklyn Kostiuk, a Rutland grad and TOFC player, will attend the Toronto-based university
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Ryerson Rams Kelowna’s Brookyln Kostiuk has signed on with the Ryerson University Rams soccer program.

A skilled, multi-sport athlete growing up, Brooklyn Kostiuk’s primary focus will be on soccer as she begins her university education.

The graduate of Rutland Senior Secondary has committed to Toronto’s Ryerson University Rams women’s 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’s 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.

“As 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,” Kostiuk said. “Training is super important to me and it is significant to (maintain) standards and reach goals.”

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.

“Brooklyn is a welcome addition to our team with brilliant speed, a positive attitude and strong work ethic,” said Rams associate coach, Tina Cook of her latest recruit. “She is a high achiever in the classroom making her a great fit for Ryerson both academically and athletically.”

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 Kelowna 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.

“The highlight of my athletic career would have to be being named captain of an all-boys hockey team in 2011,” Kostiuk said. “This 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.

“I 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—hopefully at Ryerson.”

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.

“I 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,” she added. “The girls went out of their way to help me feel at home and welcomed.”

An honour and work ethic roll student, and a Principal’s List award winner at Rutland Senior Secondary, Kostiuk will be studying in the Biomedical Sciences program beginning in September.