Texas Tech's NiJaree Canady Named Honda Cup Top 3 Finalist
Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady named a Top 3 Finalist for the prestigious 2025 Honda Cup Award Monday night in a ceremony held in New York City. Canady was one of 12 athletes, each representing a different women’s collegiate sport, up for the award.
What is the Honda Cup?
The Honda Sports Award, presented annually by the CWSA to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports, signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”. Administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools chose the 12 nominees.
The CWSA, entering its 49th 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. Additionally, since it’s partnership began 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.
History At The Honda Sports Awards
Canady earned the Honda Award for softball for the second consecutive year. She has now also finished in the top 3 two years in a row for the Honda Cup itself, of which is considered the most prestigious award in woman’s athletics. Caitlin Clark (Iowa, Women’s Basketball) won it in 2024 and Virginia’s Gretchen Walsh (Virginia, Swimming & Diving) is the 2025 Honda Cup Winner.
Canady is the second Texas Tech athlete to win a Honda Award for her sport alongside Sally Kipyego who won the Honda Award for Cross Country three years in a row from 2007-2009. Canady will have the opportunity to achieve that same feat as a senior in 2026 – and perhaps become the first Red Raider to ever win the overall Honda Cup as well. 🧘♀️
What’s Ahead for NiJaree Canady and Texas Tech Softball?
Canady was a key piece to Texas Tech’s magical run in 2025 after she transferred in from Stanford. She helped the Red Raiders to their first Big 12 Championship and first Women’s College World Series Appearance. All of which culminated in a game three loss to Texas in the WCWS Championship Series – a historic run for a program who had not made the postseason since 2019 and never gotten past a regional before Canady’s arrival.
The three-time All-American finished 2025 with a 1.11 ERA to go along with 319 strikeouts in 240 innings pitched. Furthermore, she also broke out as a hitter this season notching a .271 average and team leading 11 home runs.
Canady will return to Texas Tech for her senior season in 2026, poised to make a run at a National Championship alongside 11 returners, five incoming freshman and a loaded transfer class.
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