When he was 14 years old, Wesley DeJong was in high demand.
Within the space of 12 months, the Hoppers Crossing resident was selected in representative sides in three different sports – cricket, football and baseball.
As the training hours and level of commitment started to build, he faced the tough decision all gifted multi-sport athletes must endure.
DeJong decided to focus his attention on baseball and has been hitting home runs ever since.
“It got to a point where I knew I was not too bad at all of them but I needed to choose … I chose baseball,” he said.
Since then, DeJong has dominated selection in Victorian sides, playing in the under-16s and under-18s and even being selected in the under 23-side. Those performances have helped the now 17-year-old take his game to another level and receive a call-up to represent Australia.
DeJong will pull on the green and gold for the Australian schoolboys team that will tour the US in September and October.
Although it will be DeJong’s first baseball-related trip to the US, it is unlikely to be the last. The Grange P-12 College student is eyeing a place in the US college system.
Don Deeble Rising Star
DeJong, who plays for Werribee Giants, is a nominee for the Don Deeble Rising Star award. The award is run by the Sunshine Western Region Sports Club in conjunction with Star Weekly.
He will receive $1000 donated by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club and other prizes. The award recognises young athletes in the western suburbs who have achieved outstanding results at state and national level.
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