A graduate of an area high school and current member of a college softball squad has been selected to play for Team USA.

According to Wichita State University, Sydney McKinney, who is a Norborne High School graduate, has been called up to the Women’s National team for the upcoming Japan All-Star Series, which is scheduled to be played August 6-9 in Fukushima and Yokahama, Japan.

McKinney will be the first Shocker to don the Red, White and Blue.

According to WSU’s website, McKinney holds the WSU record for single-season batting average at .522; hits in the single season with 97; and single-season runs scored with 69 during her junior year in 2022.

McKinney was selected second team All-American by NFCA, Softball America and D1 Softball in 2022. She also was selected to the NFCA All-Region second team; AAC All-Tournament Team; First-team All-Conference; and was a Top 10 Finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.

While at Norborne High School, McKinney was a four-year letter winner and captain as a shortstop and pitcher. She broke the state record for single-season batting average (.738), produced 62 hits along with 32 stolen bases, en route to CLAA Player of the Year honors. McKinney also was all-conference, all-district, all-region and all-state all four years playing for the Lady Pirates. She also helped lead the Lady Pirates to their first-ever state title.

She is the daughter of Jason and Andreia McKinney.