Laurier swimmer Cosgriffe turns para journey into podium success

Katie Cosgriffe has been competing in para sport since she was 16, a path that emerged after the Laurier swimmer learned she was living with a disability and discovered a new way forward in high-performance swimming. 

“It was just kind of something that I found out,” said Cosgriffe. 

“And then I realized that switching into para sport could be an option for me.”

That shift, she says, reshaped her relationship with the sport.

“High performance sport has helped me a lot with my confidence,” she said. 

Cosgriffe describes herself as “dedicated and hardworking,” traits that have shaped a swimming journey that began long before medals, records and international podiums entered the picture.

“I like to pride myself on that a little bit,” said the Laurier swimmer. 

“I think my work ethic is pretty good. But also I am somebody who likes to spend time with my friends and just relax.”

That balance has become central to Cosgriffe’s success, both as a student-athlete with the Golden Hawks and as a member of Canada’s para swimming program.

Her introduction to competitive swimming came at age nine, at a time when she admits she wasn’t as eager to step onto the pool deck.

“At the time, I was being bullied in school,” Cosgriffe said. 

“My parents really wanted me to have an extracurricular activity to do… but I really didn’t want to. I went to my tryout and I cried.”

Nervous and anxious about trying something new, she nearly walked away before things truly began. Years later, she looks back with gratitude.

“I’m very grateful that they put me through that.”

Like many athletes, she experienced moments of uncertainty, even contemplating quitting before meeting a coach who helped reframe her perspective.

“I realized that no one is forcing me to be here or to do the things that I do, except for myself,” she said. 

“That made me fall in love with the sport again.”

By the time university approached, Cosgriffe knew she wasn’t ready to step away from swimming.

“When I switched into more of a high performance sport, I realized I still have so much time left in the sport,” she said. 

“I need to be doing it through university and probably afterwards as well.”

Laurier emerged as the ideal fit, thanks in large part to head coach Cathy Pardy and a connection formed at the 2022 Canada Summer Games.

“That was one of my first competitions as a para athlete, and it went fairly well for me,” said Cosgriffe. 

“I really appreciated her as the support on the team.”

Now part of a growing Golden Hawks squad, Cosgriffe credits team culture as a major strength.

“Everyone’s pretty close. Everyone supports each other,” she said. 

“Everyone on the team pushes each other to be better.”

That support followed Cosgriffe closely this season as she raced on the world stage at the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore.

“I planned for this my entire season,” she said. 

“Not going to Worlds wasn’t an option.”

Cosgriffe qualified at trials in June and spent the summer focused on preparation, including training in Thailand to acclimatize prior to competition.

“It was a really great experience,” she said.

Competing primarily in the 100-metre butterfly and 100-metre backstroke, Cosgriffe delivered the strongest meet of her career.

“This year, I had the most fun competing that I’ve ever had,” she said. 

“It was the best meet I’ve ever had in my life.”

Her performances included personal bests in every race, two medals, a Canadian record and an Americas record.

“For that race, the past two years at international competitions, I’ve always choked a little bit,” she said of the backstroke. 

“I never want to feel this way again… I know I can be better.”

Cosgriffe earned silver in the 100-metre backstroke and bronze in the butterfly, narrowly edging the field by hundredths of a second.

“I was very excited about that,” she said. 

“It was honestly just a great feeling.”

Beyond the results, Cosgriffe takes pride in her role representing Canada and inspiring others.

“I love being able to be a role model for younger swimmers,” she said. 

“I really like being able to inspire others and represent the country.”

Her advice to the next generation is simple.

“Have fun,” she said. 

“A happy swimmer is a fast swimmer.”

That philosophy extends beyond the pool. Balancing academics and athletics, Cosgriffe recently shifted from a double degree into a single-degree program to better manage the load.

“I’ve been able to be on top of both swimming and school,” she said.

Off the deck, she finds calm through music and art, playing guitar and stepping away mentally from the sport.

“My time outside of the pool is very much spent on rest and not focusing on the pool,” she said. 

“That kind of gives me a mental break.”

For Cosgriffe, success is no longer measured solely by podium finishes.

“Finding small victories in every single day,” she said. 

“That’s what I think of as success.”