Fourth year star of the Field Hockey program capped off an incredible career by earning not one, but two national awards on Halloween night in Victoria, B.C. The Cambridge native was named the winner of the U SPORTS Gail Wilson Award for her outstanding contribution to her sport, her academics, as well as the KW community. In addition, McLeod was named a U SPORTS All-Canadian.
McLeod is the team's captain and leader and one of the most dedicated members of the team, putting in the work year-round, while always putting her fellow Warriors first and remaining an advocate for field hockey in the OUA and beyond.
McLeod, who has been a coach with the Guelph Cobras during the outdoor and indoor seasons throughout her university tenure, is an active member of the campus community. She is one of three executive members that lead Waterloo's Athletic IU Council, which is made up of representatives from each of the school's 32 sports and functions as a leadership group on campus.
McLeod also coordinates and volunteers with Team-Up, a program that sends Waterloo varsity athletes to speak at local elementary schools on smart goal setting. Beyond her own initiatives, the fourth-year all-star also looks for ways to get the team involved in the community, which included her playing an instrumental role in the team's participation in Fitness Feeds the Community, in partnership with the Waterloo Region Food Bank.
McLeod was a major factor in Waterloo's OUA bronze medal this season, scoring two goals and dictating most of the play for her Warriors in their playoff victories over Queen's and York.
"I am so proud of what Larissa has accomplished and given in her four years as a Waterloo Warrior," said Head Coach Maria Leahy (Waterloo).
"As a rookie, I knew she would be joining the team as an exceptionally talented athlete, but it was quickly apparent her strengths were so much more. She joined a very young program in 2016 and continues to give to it her very best, as she had since her first season as a Warrior. It has been an honour to work with a student-athlete so dedicated to building our program and team culture. This award recognizes her achievements as a enduring contributor to our Warrior community, the OUA, and beyond. I'm so happy for Larissa to be recognized on the national stage both as an All-Canadian and Gail Wilson Award recipient."
