WACO (February 1, 2013) -- Redshirt junior Whitney Canion was selected to the initial "Watch List" for the 12th annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award, the Amateur Softball Association announced Friday.

Canion, a 2011 All-American and two-time All-Big 12 selection, was granted a medical hardship after tearing her left ACL in 2012. The Aledo, Texas, native is Baylor's all-time leader in strikeouts with 898 and a career mark of 68-33 with a 1.48 ERA. This marks the third time Canion has been listed for this award, after being named in 2010 and 2012.

The pre-season “Watch List” includes 27 seniors, 15 juniors and eight sophomores, with freshmen ineligible for consideration. (Freshmen can be considered for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award once they have competed at the collegiate level.) Athletes named to the “Watch List” represent 34 NCAA Division I universities and 12 athletic conferences.

The Top 25 Finalists for the 2013 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced April 10. While an athlete does not have to be on the “Watch List” to be considered for the Top 25, the eventual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will come from the Top 25 Finalists. The Top 10 Finalists will be announced May 8 and the Top 3 Finalists will be announced May 22. On May 28 prior to the start of the 2013 NCAA Women’s College World Series (WCWS) in Oklahoma City, the 2013 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be revealed.