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Cadillac athlete adding another sport to her resume at Eastern Michigan
Although ski racing is her main sport, Libbey Lloyd played soccer, tennis, volleyball, and even kicked for the varsity football team during her time at Cadillac High School. (Photo: Emma Lloyd)

Cadillac athlete adding another sport to her resume at Eastern Michigan

CADILLAC, Mich. (BVM) Like many athletes across the country, Libbey Lloyd played multiple sports during her prep career. Competing in soccer, volleyball and tennis during her tenure at Cadillac High School, Lloyd also skied and kicked for the football team, following her sister who did the same years before. Now, Lloyd will be heading to Eastern Michigan University in the fall, where she will add another unique sport to the list.

Lloyd has played sports ever since she was little, and was always involved with multiple sports at a time. That continued into high school, where Lloyd played soccer, volleyball, tennis, ski racing and football at various points over her four years at Cadillac. 

The 18-year-old considers ski racing to be her main sport as she loves the competitive aspect of skiing, but also the tight-knit community found within it. But she also takes pride in the fact that she has been a part of so many different sports throughout her life and high school career.

“I’ve always been a sports-minded girl ever since I was little,” Lloyd said. “I would rather play a sport than sit inside and play video games. I’ve always been competitive and I just have never wanted to have an offseason.”

However, growing up, Lloyd may never have imagined she would be playing football in high school. Lloyd’s older sister, Emma – a multi-sport athlete as well – ended up being recruited by the Cadillac football team to kick in her junior and senior year. After she graduated, the team decided to ask Libbey to come try out with an opportunity to follow in her sister’s footsteps.

After deciding she might not want to play volleyball in the fall of her junior year, Libbey received a text from Cadillac football coach Cody Mallory asking her to try out to kick. From there, the rest was history.

“I got a text asking if I would be willing to come try out and I figured why not,” Libbey said. “I tried it and the coach told me I’m a natural just like my sister and asked if I would play on the team. I said sure and I absolutely loved it from there on out.”

Libbey trained over the summer in preparation of her first football season junior year, but was nervous to get started. She maintains that the nerves never left throughout her kicking career. But based on her performance, you would have never noticed. 

Libbey Lloyd was the place kicker for the Cadillac High School varsity football team the past two seasons, going a perfect 11 for 11 on point after attempts in her junior year. (Photo: Emma Lloyd)

The Vikings kicker went a perfect 11 of 11 on point after kicks in her junior season. Libbey did miss a few kicks her senior season, but still ended up excelling at her latest athletic challenge.

Playing in an almost entirely male sport, Libbey did feel awkward joining the team at first. But that quickly changed as her team embraced her, as they would any other player.

“It was a little awkward at first but it definitely got better and even just a month in, all my teammates felt like my brothers and they took me under their wing and showed me the ropes,” Libbey said. 

Libbey regards a game-winning point after kick as her best football memory. But she has made many more memories across the vast amount of sports she has played during high school. In her main sport of ski racing, Libbey helped lead her team to state all four years of her high school career. She was also team captain and an all-conference skier in her junior and senior seasons.

The Cadillac graduate also helped her tennis team to state as a junior, but would unfortunately have her senior season canceled this spring. Her soccer team also won conference while she played during both her freshman and sophomore years. But ultimately what Libbey cherishes most from each of her sports is the team relationships that were made.

“I’m a big team bonding person and want to be close-knit with the people I am going to be with all the time,” Libbey said. “I just like all that stuff and the bus rides and team dinners are some of my favorite memories.”

The multi-sport athlete earned an impressive 10 varsity letters during her time as a Viking, and that may be what ultimately means the most to the recent graduate.

“It means a lot to me because a lot of people can’t say that,” Libbey said. “I think it just makes me a more well-rounded, experienced person and I am proud that I still managed to get all my other responsibilities done within school as well.”

Lloyd also hopes her impressive sports resume at the school can serve as a model for others who come after her. 

“I hope that I have given younger girls the courage to do whatever they put their mind to,” Libbey said. “I also hope that I made a difference and impacted even the whole community positively and showed them you can do what you really want if you put your mind to it. If you want something go do it.”

The Cadillac grad is taking that mindset with her into her collegiate athletic career. When she was younger, Libbey dreamed of playing college soccer, and continued to pursue that dream up until last year. She also considered joining forces with Emma on the tennis team at Alma College. But still undecided, Libbey discovered the sport of rowing and reached out to both Michigan State and Eastern Michigan to inquire about the sport.

Soon after, Eastern Michigan extended a scholarship offer for Libbey to join the Eagles rowing team. The 18-year-old has never rowed competitively, but she has had family members who have rowed at the high school and college levels in the past. Libbey believes the skills she has gained from other sports can help her, and while nervous, is excited to try out something new.

“I definitely have a mix of emotions going into this but I am super excited for this new experience,” Libbey said. “It is nerve wracking at the same time but ultimately I’m excited to go out of my comfort zone a little bit and try something new. I have learned to persevere through hard times and how to pick things up pretty quickly through my past sports experience which I think will help me out.”

Libbey also knows that Eastern Michigan is the right fit for her. She plans to major in psychology with a minor in sociology, and hopes to become a therapist in the future. Although she could have gone to Michigan State, the future rower was sold on the smaller feel of Eastern Michigan.

“I narrowed it down to Alma, Michigan State, or Eastern Michigan,” Libbey said. “Michigan State’s campus was just a little too big for me and was also expensive. But ultimately I just love Eastern’s campus and it’s a place that is going to be really fun and exciting to go to.”

The future Eagle does acknowledge that there is a chance she does not like rowing and would look to change sports to tennis if that is the case. But ultimately she is excited for the new adventure and focused on what is to come this year.

“My goals for this year are to pick up the sport quickly and be a varsity rower by the end of the year,” Libbey said. “As a team, I hope we have success and do well in our conference.”

Libbey Lloyd is an impressive athlete who left her mark in Cadillac. Although playing a new sport is a challenge, the 18-year-old has done it before, and has an exciting opportunity on the horizon at Eastern Michigan.