Lakers Violo honoured

Lakers soccer player Anna Marie Violo poses with her top female scholar-athlete award at a OUA banquet in Toronto. Photo and story submitted by Marc LaRochelle, Sports Information Officer, Nipissing University.

TORONTO, ON – For the second straight year, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) honoured the top female scholar-athlete from each of the 18 member institutions at a luncheon Thursday, December 2 at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto. As part of the Women of Influence Luncheon Series, the OUA recognized an outstanding young woman from each of the Ontario universities who have excelled both in academics and athletics this past year.

Congratulating them on their accomplishments was one of Canada’s most celebrated international athletes, Charmaine Crooks. The five-time Olympian was the keynote speaker, addressing the athletes on “Passion and Peak Performance”

The Nipissing University Lakers Anna Marie Violo, a third year student from Mississauga majoring in Sociology was presented the 2004 OUA leaders of tomorrow award. Anna is a valuable member of the women’s varsity soccer team and she back-stopped 56 shots this season allowing 20 goals and recording a 2.87 goals against average. Anna demonstrated leadership and determination on the field, helping the Lakers reach the playoffs in 2003 for the first time since the program started in 2000. The Mississauga native has been recognized for her athletic abilities being named as a North/South OUA All-Star this past season.

Anna’s ability to balance her academics and athletics is outstanding. In addition to managing school and playing for the soccer team, Anna is also a mentor at the university for the 2003-2004 academic year.

Her goal for the future is to become a primary school teacher.