Matt Wickham has come of age since being named as a shadow player in the Australian under-17s softball squad last year.
The 16-year-old Marist College student has been remarkably named in both the Australian under-17s and under-19s teams following his stellar performances at the national softball championships.
The rapid growth in his career will continue next week, when he represents the under 19s in the Australian men's open championships, beginning February13.
Wickham was one of seven ACT softballers named in the Australian under-17s squad after the ACT was a shock runner-up.
But his biggest surprise was to come.
''My goal was definitely to try to make the under-17s squad but I honestly didn't think I would ever make the under-19s,'' Wickham said.
If Wickham can make the final cut in the under-19s team, he will have the opportunity to travel to Argentina for the world junior championships.
ACT under-17s coach Ken Selu said Wickham's advantage was his versatility.
When his team is in the field, Wickham can play in a number of positions, including in the outfield, at first base and pitcher.
''We were even going to pitch him ... but he is great in the outfield and is one of our best batsmen,'' Selu said.
Wickham joins fellow ACT players David McCaskie, Josh McGovern and Ben Jager in the boys' under-17s national squad, while Holly Bartholomew, Brianna McGovern and Kathryn Croker were named in the Australian girls under-17s.
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