The manufacturing sector has taken a hit over the past few decades in Orillia but the city has become a factory of sorts for producing elite-level women’s field lacrosse players.
This week, Jerica Obee helped cement the city’s well-earned reputation when she signed a letter of intent to play and study at St. Bonaventure University in New York.
“It kind of feels like everything has led up to this moment,” said Obee before signing the document at an official ceremony at her school, Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School. “I couldn’t be more excited.”
Obee, two months shy of her 18th birthday, is the latest in a long line of local athletes to fall in love with field lacrosse in Orillia and use that experience as a springboard to NCAA scholarships.
“She decided probably earlier than any girl I know that (the NCAA) was her goal and she worked really hard to get here,” said her long-time coach, Pat Morris. “She has great vision, is a great feeder and has awesome lacrosse IQ.”
Morris, who coached Obee when she played for the powerhouse provincial champion Orillia Lady Kings and at Patrick Fogarty where she helped the Flames win three straight Ontario high-school titles, said the talented teen is deserving of the NCAA scholarship.
“She’s worked hard consistently, she’s overcome injuries … so it’s really cool to see a kid set her sights on something academically and athletically and see it come to fruition.”
Her long-time trainer, Hank Ilesic, who owns a gym in Orillia, was all smiles as he watched Obee sign her letter of intent.
“She is the definition of a female athlete who is primed and ready to go to a Division 1 school,” said Ilesic, a CFL Hall of Famer. “She has a fire burning inside; she has passion and loves the game.”
He said he has witnessed great strides in Obee’s physical and mental abilities during the four years the duo have worked together. She has become more tenacious, quicker and stronger mentally and physically, he said
“I’m proud of her and the community should be proud of her,” said Ilesic, who noted Orillia has become “a breeding ground” for aspiring field lacrosse players.
Ilesic credited local coaches in the Orillia Lady Kings program and at local high schools for fostering successful athletes.
“They are changing the girls’ lives – literally,” he said. “Going to play NCAA … it can set the tone for the rest of their lives. The opportunity and exposure, it’s incredible.”
It’s something Obee is looking forward to.
She has already visited the campus, met coach Chelsea Rosiek and knows a couple of players who will suit up her on the Brownies.
“The coach is amazing,” said Obee, who will likely play elbow attack, which will be a big change for a player who typically has played behind the net. “Last year, I tried to change my game a bit to play a higher because I think that’s where I will be playing. I just have to keep working on that (transition) so that I can play to the best of my ability.”
While it’s a giant jump from playing in Ontario to playing Division 1 in the NCAA, the bigger leap may involved leaving her home and her family.
Obee is from a close-knit family; she says her younger sister is her best friend, her father has been instrumental in her journey, her parents have supported her ambition and her grandparents “have not missed a single lacrosse game” over the years.
“My parents have been so supportive and helpful … I’m going to miss my family a lot,” said the Grade 12 student. “I think I will be able to adjust well because I’ve been travelling (for sports) from a young age, but I’m sure there will be bumps on the road.”
She said she was thrilled her extended family and coaches and supporters were able to be on hand this week when she signed the letter of intent.
“I couldn’t have done it without them,” she said. “It’s so important to me to know that everyone is standing behind me and supporting me. It means the world to me.”
