Reese Atwood from the University of Texas, Stanford University’s NiJaree Canady, Claire Davidson of Duke University and Jocelyn Erickson from the University of Florida are the four finalists for the Class of 2024 Honda Sport Award for Softball as announced by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) today.
The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 48 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”. The winner of the sport award becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2024 Honda Cup, which will be presented during a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 7 PM ET, from its new home in New York City.
The softball finalists were selected by a panel of experts and coaches from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). The Honda Sport award winner for softball will be announced after voting by administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Each NCAA member institution has a vote.
All four finalists are leading their teams to the 2024 Women’s College World Series (WCWS), which begins on May 30, 2024.
Atwood, a sophomore infielder from Sandia, Texas, was the 2024 Big 12 Conference Player of the Year and shattered her program’s single-season home run, RBI and total bases records with 23, 90 and 160, respectively, entering the WCWS. She leads the nation in RBI and ranks fourth nationally in total bases. She was a top three finalist for the 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
Canady, a sophomore pitcher, enters the WCWS leading the nation in ERA (0.65) and strikeouts (310). Hailing from Topeka, Kan., she was named the 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and the 2024 Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year. Her 310 strikeouts so far rank sixth-most in a single season and she allowed multiple runs in a game only three times in 34 appearances.
Davidson was the 2024 ACC Player of the Year and named First-Team All-ACC and to the ACC All-Tournament team. Entering the WCWS, the outfielder led the team in five offensive categories including RBI (67), which ranks seventh nationally and set a Duke single-season record. The senior from Lakewood Ranch, Fla., was one of 15 players to be selected in the 2024 Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball Draft.
Erickson, a sophomore catcher from Phoenix, Ariz., was the 2024 SEC Player of the Year and named the SoftballAmerica Defender of the Year earning First Team honors from both outlets. She enters the WCWS leading her team and ranking second nationally in RBI with 80. So far this season, she posted 69 hits with 13 home runs, 123 total bases and 46 runs scored.
The CWSA, entering its 48th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs.
About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility
For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve the lives of people while conducting its business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, Honda believes in helping people reach their life’s potential through its focus on improving children’s health, inspiring underrepresented students, preserving the environment for future generations, creating safety for everyone, and strengthening our communities. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.