The pride of Sydenham win’s NCAA honour

Jeff Green | May 12, 2011

Sydenham’s Natasha Ostopovich was a key figure in the glory days of the Sydenahm Canoe Club and she has gone on to make name for her self in the United States.

She was one of two Washington State University seniors honoured with the 2011 Big Ten Senior Award in Athletics.

Ostopovich graduated from WSU in May 2011 with Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology and a 3.25 grade point average. While at WSU, she was a dedicated member of WSU’s women’s varsity rowing team who twice finished in the top 8 at the NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships.

Nominator Jane LaRiviere, WSU Women’s Rowing head coach, calls Ostopovich a completely self-directed leader who has a sincere and humble approach to life. In her nomination letter, LaRiviere noted, “In my 17 years as a collegiate rowing coach and educator, I have not had a student athlete exemplify the athletic excellence, sportsmanship, dedication, and service traits…more than Natasha Ostopovich.”