Daily Staff Writer

AMES — Erin Woods, a senior on the Iowa State softball team, has been selected to play for the Canadian Women’s National Team. A native of Richmond, British Columbia, Woods was chosen from 33 prospective players for a spot on the 17-member team.

The Canadian National Team will compete in the International Softball Federation 9th Women’s World Softball Championship, July 20-30, in Shizuoka, Japan. Five of the 17 teams competing in Japan will qualify for a berth at the 200 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

Australia, as the host team, earns an automatic berth. Other countries competing to play in Sydney include the United States, China, Japan, New Zealand, Venezuela, Philippines, Netherlands, Korea, Denmark, South Africa, Czech Republic, Columbia and Chinese Taipei.

En route to the World Championships in Japan, the Canadian Team will stop in Portland, Oregon to play a double header against the U.S. National Team, followed by a two-day tournament in California.

A team co-captain for the 1998 Cyclones, Woods earned all-Big 12 honors after batting .283 her junior season. Starting all 43 games at catcher, Woods finished the 1998 season with a .986 fielding percentage, committing only four errors in 282 total chances.

Woods owns the ISU career stolen base record at 25 after only three seasons. She earned all-Big 12 honors as an outfielder her freshman season.

Woods was also a 1998 National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American athlete.