HAMILTON, Ont. - The four finalists for the Outstanding Female Graduate Award have been announced by the McMaster Marauders, with the award set to be handed out Thursday, April 8 at the virtual 97th Marauder Student-Athlete Awards Show, proudly supported by RBC. 

The Outstanding Female Graduate Award is awarded in recognition of the graduating student-athlete who has radiated "the spirit of McMaster" throughout their time as a Marauder. 

All four of the finalists' positive attitudes are reflected in their service to others, leadership and involvement in McMaster athletics activities. These Marauders are also active in several areas of involvement including volunteer work within the university and/or community and are in their graduating year.

Outstanding Female Graduate Award Finalists

Isabelle Lei
Health Sciences - Swimming

A captain of the women's swimming team for the past two seasons, Isabelle Lei has carved a path of exemplary leadership during her time as a Marauder. During that time, she has volunteered as a coach for the Dundas Seahawks Special Olympics team, as well as serving as a volunteer coach for adults with disabilities swim instruction classes in the Hamilton area.

The 2018 OUA Rookie Swimmer of the Year helped organize the swim team's fundraising over the past two years that helped to raise almost $15,000 as part of Relay for Life in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.

A 14-time OUA medalist, Isabelle Lei has garnered one of the most decorated careers of any swimmer in a three-year span, including a gold medal in her first-year in the Women's 200m Freestyle.

Jessie Nairn
Commerce - Women's Volleyball

Jessie Nairn proudly served as the women's volleyball MAC Athletes Care team rep for two years, and has regularly volunteered with Routes Youth Centre and the Living Rock. She was also instrumental in the planning and execution of McMaster's Think Pink week campaign. Jessie has been key to helping grow the game in the Hamilton community, lending her support to coach HBVC community teams, as well as coaching for four years with the McMaster Camps summer sports program.

A three-year member of the Varsity Leadership Committee, Nairn has served as the VLC co-president for the past two years and has been active in helping grow several department initiatives including 'Bell Let's Talk Day' and the 2020 Athletic Awards show, among others.

Nairn ends her time at McMaster with plenty of hardware to show; an OUA champion in her first-year, followed by an OUA silver medal season a year later. After arriving as a middle blocker, Nairn evolved into one of the best right side hitters in the country earning back-to-back OUA first-team all-star nods.

Sabrina Schindel
Geography & Environmental Sciences - Women's Lacrosse

In addition to her role as a team captain and leader of the women's lacrosse program, Sabrina Schindel has dedicated a considerable amount of effort to several athletic department initiatives. She began working with the Varsity Leadership Committee with a specific goal of fostering a culture where there is no longer a stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness. 

Sabrina's contributions also include her work with VLC Mental Health Week and McMaster Athletes Care (MAC), where she regularly volunteered her time. She served on the MAC Executive Committee, where as the Routes Youth Centre coordinator she coordinated student-athlete visits.

During the COVID-19 pandemic she implemented innovative ways to engage with youth through Routes, including using Instagram live and other online programs. 

Sabrina has demonstrated her commitment to sport through her volunteer coaching activities with Mimico's girls lacrosse club. Through her efforts to raise awareness of and improve student-athlete mental health she has left a lasting mark on the Athletic Department. She did all of this while excelling on the field. 

A dominant force in net, Sabrina Schindel has been a wall of defence in the OUA for years, emerging as one of the best goaltenders in the province with three all-star selections including an OUA first-team all-star appearance in 2018.

Briana Wice
Kinesiology - Women's Field Hockey

Briana Wice's optimistic spirit, ability to lead others and her commitment to the success of the women's field hockey program is both genuine and endearing. A three-year co-captain of the team, Briana's efforts will last far beyond her playing career as she had a significant impact in the team's entrance to the OUA. 

In March 2021, Wice helped lead the planning and execution of 'Women in Sports and Leadership', an online panel conversation aimed at creating gender equity, and served as a moderator.

Briana has spearheaded several fundraisers for her team including a "Women in Sports" t-shirt initiative. In addition to fundraising, she is currently working on an alumni networking platform to connect graduated field hockey athletes to current team members. As a soon to be alumnus, her vision is to build alumni relationships to help prepare her team for its first year in the OUA. 

Wice has been an active member of the McMaster Athletic community in many different capacities, and has served as the VLC co-president since the committee was created in the Fall of 2018. Briana was the volunteer coordinator at McMaster's Physical Activity Centre of Excellence, an exercise rehabilitation centre on campus for seniors, people with cancer, spinal cord injuries, cardiac conditions & multiple sclerosis, and works as a a McMaster Performance Student Strength and Conditioning Coach.

In her leadership role with the VLC, the committee has since doubled in size because of her efforts along with her co-president, Jessie Nairn. They were determined to ensure there was representation from every team on the committee.