WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State freshman outfielder Addison Barnard is one of 32 players selected to participate at the USA Softball U-18 Junior Women's National Team (JWNT) selection trials, which will take place June 22-25 in Oklahoma City.

Those athletes who accepted the invitation to try out will vie for a spot on the 2021 U-18 JWNT roster, which will compete at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 World Cup in Lima, Peru August 28 – September 5 and the Junior Pan American Games in Barranquilla, Columbia November 25 – December 5. 

Barnard, a Beatrice, Neb., native recently completed a standout freshman campaign for the Shockers. She broke the Wichita State single season record for home runs (22) and RBI (61), while hitting .323. Barnard ranked in the top 10 nationally in both home runs and RBI. The American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Conference selection helped Wichita State to one of its best seasons in school history.

Due to the postponement of the WBSC U-18 World Cup, which was originally scheduled to take place in August 2020, the WBSC extended the age eligibility to allow athletes who were eligible for the 2020 event with the opportunity to participate in the rescheduled event this year. With the extended age eligibility, the invitee list includes current college freshman, high school student-athletes and athletes selected from the USA Softball High Performance Program (HPP).

During the selection process, athletes will participate in position drills as well as simulated games and be evaluated by the USA Softball Junior Women's National Team Selection Committee (JWNTSC). Athletes who earn a spot on the 2021 USA Softball U-18 JWNT roster will look to claim a fourth-consecutive WBSC Junior Women's World Championship title, having won the previous three World Championships in 2015, 2017 and 2019. Additionally, the 2021 roster will compete for the gold medal at Junior Pan American Games.
 
The roster for the 2021 USA Softball JWNT will be announced at the conclusion of the tryout. For more information on the JWNT, visit USASoftball.com.
 
The Selection Trials are open to the public with free admission.