Jan. 27, 2010

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -

Sophomore pitcher Whitney Canion was one of 50 student-athletes named to the 2010 USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List, the Amateur Softball Association of America announced Wednesday. Canion is one of only six sophomores to make the list.

Prior Lady Bears to make the initial list are Chelsi Lake (2006-07), Harmony Schwethelm (2006) and Brette Reagan (2007-09).

This award, which is considered the most prestigious honors in Division I women's collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country. Past winners of this award include UCLA's Stacey Nuveman, Florida State's Jessica Van der Linden, three-time winner Texas pitcher Cat Osterman, Tennessee's Monica Abbott, Virginia Tech's Angela Tincher and 2009 winner Washington pitcher/hitter Danielle Lawrie.

The 2010 Pre-Season Watch List is comprised of 50 players representing 35 schools and 14 different NCAA Division I Conferences. The list includes 27 seniors, 17 juniors and six sophomores.

The ASA will announce the 25 finalists on April 7. A player does not have to appear on this initial watch list to be considered as a top 25 finalist. However, once the top 25 finalists are named the winner of the award will come from that list. Freshmen qualify for the top 25 list once they have competed at the collegiate level.