Editor’s Note: Orillia’s athlete of the year for 2018 will be announced at Monday night’s city council meeting. In recent days, we profiled the four nominees. Today we conclude the series with this profile on Annie Lloyd.
Annie Lloyd is a winner on the field, a well respected leader and an exceptional university student.
That combination of athletic and academic excellence is what prompted Mark Obee to nominate the talented teen for the Orillia Athlete of the Year award.
While Lloyd has long been one of the city’s top field lacrosse players, this past year was the best yet as she won provincial titles both at the university and club level, while also helping lead Team Ontario to a national championship - a trifecta of titles in a summer to remember.
“(Lloyd) had an exceptional year, achieving great success both locally and nationally,” said Mardi McLaughlin, the vice president of women’s field lacrosse for the Orillia Lady Kings program.
The Orillia Secondary School graduate was a member of the Orillia Lady Kings women’s team that won the 2018 Ontario Women’s Field Lacrosse A division championship.
“She made a significant contribution to the team’s success this year, locking in the win for the Orillia team in the championship game,” said McLaughlin.
Thanks in part to her stellar play, her experience and leadership, she was selected to play on the Team Ontario U19 women’s team that competed at the 2018 national championship in Calgary.
Lloyd was named co-captain of the squad and helped lead Ontario to national championship
As a member of the Queen’s University women’s lacrosse team she was a “key impact player” leading them to an Ontario University Athletics provincial championship in October.
She was named the IG Wealth Management Peak Performer during the season and was selected as one of the association's major award winners when she was named the OUA’s offensive player of the year.
She was recently named the co-captain of Queen’s squad for the upcoming season.
“Annie has excelled both on and off the field in 2018,” said McLaughin, who noted she was also recognized for her academic achievements in Queen’s commerce program.
“She was named to the Dean’s List and was the recipient of the OUA Academic All-Star award for her success as a student athlete,” said McLaughlin.
Lloyd was also recognized in Orillia. For her ongoing contributions to Orillia Women’s Field Lacrosse, she was the recipient of the Joanne Stanga award at the end-of-season banquet.
Lloyd is also a Level 2 certified coach and was assistant coach of the U19 A squad. She helped head coach Pat Morris defy the odds, coaching the team to a bronze at the provincial championship.
As a Level 2 referee, Lloyd assisted with Orillia’s house league program and was also a referee with the Ontario Women’s Field Lacrosse program
In short, McLaughlin said, she is a worthy candidate for Orillia’s top athlete award.
“Annie is an exceptional athlete who is a quiet leader on and off the field,” wrote McLaughlin. “She is respected by her peers and Pat Morris acknowledged her coaching contribution by noting she ‘was an excellent coach and mentor to the young squad.’”
Lloyd, 19, also serves as a role model.
“She is an athlete who younger players admire and aspire to follow and she volunteers her time to give back to the sport,” said McLaughlin.
