NiJaree Canady named among USA TODAY’s Women of the Year for Kansas
Texas Tech pitcher and Topeka native NiJaree Canady, one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, talks the future of women’s sports.
TOPEKA — It’s a homecoming for Topeka’s favorite softball player this weekend. NiJaree Canady and her Texas Tech team will be playing against KU in a three-game series.
This is the first time Canady has played in her home state since high school when she helped Topeka High win the 2022 Class 6A State Championship.
“It’ll be really fun to be back so close to Topeka and play in a stadium that I have grown up going to, I grew up going to a lot of KU games,” Canady said. “I feel like there is going to be a pretty decent turnout so I am looking forward to that.”
In February, Canady was named Kansas’s honoree for USA Today’s Women of the Year.
The junior has helped No. 12/13 Texas Tech (24-9, 5-1 in Big 12) to a strong start. Canady currently ranks No. 3 in the nation in ERA while she also ranks No. 4 in strikeouts. She’s also hitting .319 with 15 hits and four home runs.
Last season, Canady was named USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, the highest award in the sport. She’s continued to live up to the hype as the Red Raiders have won four of their last six games.
“A lot of people don’t highlight the Midwest as a huge softball place,” Canady said. “I want to put Kansas on the map for the sport.”
Texas Tech takes on the Jayhawks at 5 p.m. Friday at Arrocha Ballpark. Saturday’s game will begin at 2 p.m. with Sunday’s series finale starting at noon.
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com
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