Women in Sport at Streamline Athletes

March 8th, 2022 is International Women’s Day. We are taking this opportunity to celebrate women and all that they are capable of. Let’s use this as momentum to incorporate more equal representation in business, media and sport.

We are incredibly fortunate to have some phenomenal women on the Streamline Athletes team and so much of what we have done and continue to do is possible because of them. So, we’d like to take this opportunity to introduce some of them and highlight some of their achievements at work and in sport in this Q&A feature!

Natalia Hawthorn

Sport: Track and field
Events & PRs: 800m (2:02.35) , 1500m (4:04.20) and 5000m (15:05.91)
Athletic sponsor: Brooks
Job title: Partnership Coordinator

In your own words, how would you describe your work at Streamline Athletes?

My work at Streamline Athletes is exciting and empowering. I'm always working on new initiatives with our team and reaching out to build meaningful relationships with collegiate programs to help keep our sports thriving at all levels!

Tell us about a highlight from your athletic or professional career!

Winning gold in 2018, my senior year, in the 4x 800m with my UBC teammates at the NAIA Track Championships.

Learning what “Tie Goes to the Runner” means when I ran the exact Olympic standard of 4:04.20, in the 1500m at Stumptown Twilight - this race earned me a spot on the Canadian Olympic team.

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of pursuing collegiate sport or a post-collegiate career?

Having overcome many injuries throughout my high school and collegiate career, I would encourage everybody to live in the moment, be patient, trust in the process and keep it fun!

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of pursuing a career in a male-dominated sport or industry

Play to your strengths and push yourself to speak up to place yourself in a position for you to achieve your goals - let's keep breaking barriers!

Who is a woman in track and field or another sport that inspires you or that you want to celebrate?

Hilary Stellingwerff's! She is a 2x Canadian Olympic in the 1500m and the current University of Victoria Head T&F Coach. Not only was she an inspiring athlete on the track, she also broke batteries for women right here in Canada! Hilary sought arbitration from Athletics Canada, back in 2015, about their policy on considering pregnancy an injury is discriminatory, and won.

What is a gender bias or inequality in in track and field or another sport that you want to challenge?

Maternity protection for professional athletes in all sports!

Katherine Lucas

Sport: Track and field
Events & PRs: 100m (11.78), 200m (24.06), 400m (56.10)
Job title: Marketing Coordinator

In your own words, how would you describe your work at Streamline Athletes?

I feel like I am making a difference and that is important to me.

When I was in high school going to university to run just never entered my mind, I didn't think I was good enough. So when I started getting recruitment letters I had no idea what was happening, I didn't know about the different collegiate associations, about scholarships, the list goes on.

Now working for a company that helps shed light on the recruitment process means something to me. Everyone can have the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level if that is what they want do. Working at Streamline Athletes allows me to give a voice to those who may not know what direction to take.

Tell us about a highlight from your athletic or professional career!

Two stand out to me.

Making a national team has always been a dream of mine but the reality of achieving that dream just seemed so far out of reach. But in 2017 I came so close. I had just finished my freshman year of university, I was running well, I ran a personal best in the 200m (24.41) and that is when it came to my attention that I could have a chance of making the U20 Canadian Team for Pan Am Junior Championships. The standard was 24.20 and on top of that, I had to be within the top 2 U20 runners in Canada to qualify.

Coming off an NCAA season and competing every week, my body was tired, but I was determined. Race day rolled around, I felt good. I ran 24.06. I was over the moon, I just ran a Canadian Team standard, I honestly couldn't believe it. It was that race that made me think wow, I can do this, I can be up there with the best. Unfortunately, that time put me third in Canada, by 0.01 seconds. So now all I had to do was run faster than 24.05 and I would make the team. I fell short and ran 24.06 on the dot two more times trying to get that top 2 position. So while I didn't make the team, I still won. I gained an immense out of confidence to know that I can do this. I still remember that race to this day.

My next highlight emphasizes that from lows in the sport, there can be highs. Injury is just a part of being an athlete. It is not fun, but the lessons I have learned along my various roads to recovery have been invaluable. In 2018 I hurt my back... badly. I couldn't concentrate, I couldn't sit, I couldn't sleep, my whole day-to-day life was just turned upside down. But I had a goal and that was to get back on the track. It took me over a year to do that, but I did it and in 2019 I became an All-American in the 100m at NAIA National Championships and was part of the team that won the NAIA National Championship. This just made everything worth it. What I didn't know is that only a few months later the back injury would come back and I would be out again for another year, but every lesson learned has made me that much stronger.

The moral of the story is that obstacles are inevitable but the perspective you have on these obstacles changes everything. Nelson Mandela once said, "I never lose. I either win or I learn.”

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of pursuing collegiate sport or a post-collegiate career?

Do what makes you happy and if that is competing, if that is training, if that is seeing how far your potential can take you, then take that next step. You have no limits. The journey you are about to embark on as a collegiate student-athlete is irreplaceable.

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of pursuing a career in a male-dominated sport or industry?

Know that you belong. Know that you are worthy.

Who is a woman in track and field or another sport that inspires you or that you want to celebrate?

Dina Asher-Smith, I think she is just amazing!

Sophie Dodd

Sport: Track and field
Events & PRs: 400m (55.50), 800m (2:06.69), 1500m (4:29.63)
Job title: Head of Operations & Product

In your own words, how would you describe your work at Streamline Athletes?

I do a bit of everything! I manage the product road map, hire people who will positively contribute to our team's culture and support strategic decision making.

Tell us about a highlight from your athletic or professional career!

A highlight of my athletic career was being awarded SFU's Senior All-Around Athlete of the Year award in 2019. Although this wasn't strictly athletic-based, I take pride in the fact that I was able to excel in a varsity sport, a full-time course load and a 30 hour a week volunteer gig.

A highlight of my professional career was hiring and on-boarding 9 people (spanning 5 different departments) all with the same start date (October 1 - during the pandemic)! I take pride in finding the perfect candidate for a role, taking into consideration diversity, experience and the candidate’s passion for our mission. So being able to find 9 amazing people that have all positively contributed to the growth of Streamline Athletes was a huge personal win for me!

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of pursuing collegiate sport or a post-collegiate career?

First of all: You can do it and I support your goals! Pursuing sport and a career outside of sport will be difficult at times, and people may tell you that you need to choose, but if you are passionate about both, you don't have to make sacrifices!

My advice would be to make intentional decisions that will support both choices. (ex. work for an accommodating employer, live near work/practice to reduce travel time (if possible) and find like-minded training partners.

What is a gender bias or inequality in track and field or another sport that you want to challenge?

I know that there are other major gender equality battles in the sport of track and field that are larger than this (ex. equal pay, transgender people in sport, sexual harassment), but the gender bias that I want to challenge in t&f is simply: why do women compete in the heptathlon and men in the decathlon?

Devan Wiebe

Sport: Track and field, 800m
Events & PRs: 800m (2:03.21)
Job title: Client Success Coordinator

In your own words, how would you describe your work at Streamline Athletes?

I work with Collegiate Coaches to understand the specific needs of their programs and the types of athletes they want to recruit. I love that I play an essential role in creating opportunities for young athletes, and that we are able to help expand their options and showcase schools and scholarships that they might have not been aware of.

Tell us about a highlight from your athletic or professional career!

After my first year at the University of British Columbia I qualified for the 2012 World Junior Track and Field Championships and competed for Team Canada in the 800m and 4x400m. It was my first time competing at a Global Championship, and I made the team with one of my best friends and UBC Teammates, so it was so rewarding to be there competing together.

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of pursuing collegiate sport or a post-collegiate career?

Be your own advocate. No one knows your body better than you, and there will be occasions when you need to prioritize rest and recovery. Taking an extra day to get over a cold, making an appointment to see a physio, eating and sleeping well - these are small things that can make a huge difference in your longevity as a college athlete. Taking care of yourself will make you a better athlete, and if someone tells you otherwise they do not have your best interests at heart.

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of pursuing a career in a male-dominated sport or industry?

Build up your female teammates and work together to create a collaborative and supportive environment. Pursuing goals alongside other hard-working women makes the journey so much more enjoyable, and the success will be even sweeter when you have people to share it with.

Who is a woman in track and field or another sport that inspires you or that you want to celebrate?

Lynn Kanuka! She is an amazing athlete (Olympic Bronze Medalist 1984), Coach, and person. She has spent her life dedicated to advocating for sport and healthy lifestyles, and has supported countless people to learn how to run and find joy in movement.

Sarah Inglis

Sport: Track and field,Road Running
Events & PRs: 5000m (15:15), 10km (31:59), Half Marathon (70:22), Marathon (2:29)
Job title: International Athlete Recruiter

In your own words, how would you describe your work at Streamline Athletes?

My role at Streamline Athletes involves working closely with our athletes. I introduce them to our platform and support them to find the best university for them athletically and academically. I also work with our university coaches to find the right athletes for their programs. I love balancing both, bringing athletes and coaches together.

Tell us about a highlight from your athletic or professional career!

An athletic highlight would be my debut marathon race (2:29.41) just short of the olympic standard by a few seconds. It was an amazing (and tough) experience to push the body and mind over the marathon distance for the first time. Professionally, highlights have been personal messages from athletes after they sign to a university. It really is a great feeling playing a small part in their journey to becoming a collegiate athlete and signing with their dream school.

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of pursuing collegiate sport or a post-collegiate career?

I would say to enjoy and make the most of the experiences. The unique aspect of being on a women's team at a collegiate level should be embraced, supporting each other and building each other up will raise the bar. Also to be patient, you have so many years ahead of you post-collegiately to keep developing.

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of pursuing a career in a male-dominated sport or industry?

It would be to find a mentor who you can pick their brain and learn from. Also surrounding yourself with people who bring out the best in you.

Who is a woman in track and field or another sport that inspires you or that you want to celebrate?

When I was growing up Liz McColgan was the role model and female distance runner I looked up to the most. She competed at the highest level in female distance (World Champion) and was from a small town in Scotland. It really showed me that if you work hard and are determined enough, it doesn’t matter where you come from or your background - you can succeed. She was known for being a grinder and working extremely hard.

We hope you enjoyed getting to know some of our team a little better, we love sharing some of their incredible achievements from behind the scenes and outside of work!

Want to get involved? Here’s where you can find us:

• Looking to compete at the university or collegiate level? Create your free athlete profile and get started today.
• Join us on social on Facebook or Instagram for the latest in track and field recruiting and sport updates.
• Looking for more conversation? We have an awesome Facebook group where you can interact with other athletes, get recruitment support and meet our Streamline Athletes team
• Want to join our team? Get in touch!