Worthington — The cardinal, known for its vibrant red feathers, is often seen as a messenger of renewal, courage, and strength. Much like the cardinal, Thomas Worthington’s Katie Niven has consistently demonstrated the strength to rise above challenges, the passion to pursue her goals, and the unwavering commitment to leave a lasting legacy. Just as the cardinal’s song reverberates through the trees, Niven’s influence will continue to echo in Worthington’s softball community, inspiring future generations of girls to soar just as she has.
A long journey, countless hours of dedication, and an unwavering commitment to her craft has led Niven to the next level. On January 14, Niven announced her commitment to play Division I softball at Colgate University in New York, a member of the Patriot League. Her path to collegiate softball was anything but conventional, as she navigated the recruiting process without the advantage of a built-in Ohio pipeline—making her achievement all the more unique and rewarding.
When Niven entered the recruiting scene, she had a clear vision: to play college softball at a high-academic institution in the Northeast. “Since starting the recruiting process, I knew I wanted to go to college in the Northeast,” Niven shared. “I always wanted a high-academic school, and many of the Northeast programs I spoke with throughout this process don’t typically recruit from Ohio.”
Niven grew up playing softball in Worthington and Westerville, with her passion for playing collegiately deepening after attending youth camps at Ohio State. But breaking into the Northeast softball scene required more than talent—it demanded strategy and persistence. With no established Ohio recruiting pipeline to rely on, she had to take matters into her own hands. “Simply saying you want to play in college and working hard at your sport is not enough to make that dream come true,” Niven said. “It means long hours in the car, traveling to play for an organization that has a following among college coaches in the Northeast.”
As a varsity starter since her freshman year, Niven has been a key contributor to Thomas Worthington’s softball program. But beyond the game itself, she found invaluable lessons in leadership from the upperclassmen who came before her. “Starting as one of the younger players on the team gave me a lot of opportunities to learn,” Niven said. “The older players taught me how to make adjustments quickly and showed me what it truly means to be a leader.”
By her sophomore season, Niven had cemented herself as a key piece of the Lady Cardinals’ lineup. She posted an impressive .534 batting average, tallying 12 doubles, 10 RBIs, 20 runs, and eight stolen bases—an effort that earned her first-team All-Ohio Capital Conference honors. As a junior, she faced an early-season slump at the plate but found her rhythm down the stretch, finishing with a .460 average. She surpassed her sophomore-year marks in several categories, recording 13 doubles, 32 runs, and 20 RBIs while striking out just once during the regular season. Her performance earned her a second consecutive first-team All-Ohio Capital Conference selection.
A self-described versatile threat, Niven takes pride in her ability to contribute wherever her team needs her most, adding another dimension alongside her offensive skill set. “I’ve played every position except catcher for my travel team over the last few years,” she said. “I’m definitely proud of my ability to adapt and feel comfortable even in positions I don’t normally play.”
As she prepares for her transition to Colgate, Niven is focused on adapting to the faster pace of the college game—both as a fielder and a hitter. “I am focusing on being able to play faster, as the college game moves at a much greater speed than high school,” she said. “For me, this means working on speeding up transfers in the infield and improving my timing at the plate.”
With the recruiting process behind her and one final season left as a Lady Cardinal, Niven is determined to close out her high school career on the highest note. Thomas Worthington returns eight varsity players from 2024, setting the stage for a strong push this season. For Niven, the focus is on both competition and appreciation. “My goals are to compete until the very last pitch and, ultimately, to have fun,” she said. “Now that it’s my senior season, I’m definitely focused on appreciating the small moments.”
Niven has always pursued her goals with determination, and that passion extends beyond the field to giving back to the community that sparked her love for the game. She takes pride in fostering that same enthusiasm in young athletes. “I have always loved the connection to the community that playing for Thomas Worthington has given me,” she said. “I’ve been able to give back by providing pitching lessons, assisting with a local 10U team when I can, and running free pitching clinics for WYB alongside fellow senior pitcher Sophie Newsom.”
Niven will leave Thomas Worthington as one of the program’s most accomplished softball players, but her legacy will extend far beyond the stat sheet. She will be remembered as an athlete who fearlessly pursued her dreams, gave everything to achieve them, and selflessly served others along the way. Through her dedication, leadership, and unwavering passion for the game, Katie Niven has set a standard of excellence—one that will continue to inspire young athletes in Worthington for years to come.
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