Sophomore Katey Canty is a committed student athlete who is passionate for softball, and it is her first year playing softball for the Shadow Ridge Softball Team. Along with playing softball, Canty has played other sports like soccer, wrestling, and flag football, equally showing love and passion for competition.
When Canty was first introduced to softball, she was nervous and unsure about starting a new sport, but with the support and encouragement from the people around her, she overcame her fears and dove head first into softball. Canty is now placed as right outfield, with her position being responsible for backing up first and second base and handling hits. The key skills to play Canty’s position includes having strong communication skills, coordination, and strong arm strength.
“My best friends, Averie and Skylee Gonzalez, taught me everything I know about softball,” Canty says.
Canty was introduced to sports at a very young age, she then took the opportunity to try out new sports, showing a natural talent and love for the game.
“I started playing soccer when I was 4,” Canty shares. “I’m going to keep with it and continue playing. I plan on joining a club next year to improve my mechanics. I play soccer, flag, and I also used to do wrestling.”
But as a student athlete, it is not always easy balancing school and sports at the same time, as Canty faces challenges daily with catching up on school work and going to late practices.
“I balance them both by having the sport I play pressure me into keeping my grades up, that way I can still play. Sports have taught me to be disciplined and wait for the right timing and everything comes in time,” Canty shares.
From two hour practices to hitting home runs, Canty and her teammates always bring positive energy to the field. She encourages her teammates to uplift one another and to become someone who leads and not follows.
Sophomore and teammate Ava Ferrara states, “She is very straightforward and honest if she needs help or doesn’t understand what she’s doing. She does her best to ask and understand before doing it so nothing goes wrong. She is constantly bringing everyone up, on and off the field, letting them know it is okay to make a mistake or letting them know if they are making good plays.”
Looking ahead, Canty is both excited and nervous about her future, as she has many plans and goals to accomplish both academically and athletically.
“Academically I want to keep having straight A’s and better myself moving forward,” Canty shares. “Athletically I want to keep working harder and keep moving myself further for each of the sports I play.”
After high school, Canty plans to go to either the University of Florida or University of Hawaii to study marine biology or sports management.
