Earning national selection is something she has always wanted but did not expect it to come at just 15 years of age.

The Merewether teenager was one of 24 junior athletes named on May 15.

The squad will be used to determine a team for next year’s Lifesaving World Championships in Adelaide.

The youngster dominated in both her under-17 age group as well as the opens at this year’s Hunter branch championships held at Fingal Beach in February.

Owen medalled in every under-17 event she entered and was equally impressive on the beach as she was in the surf.

The talented teenager won the 2km beach run for her age group as well as the beach flags title. Then was virtually unstoppable in the water.

She won the surf race, board race and ironperson for her age group then backed up the effort by collecting the treble of titles in the open age group as well.

On the state stage, Owen was third in under-17 board and second in the ironperson.

She was expected to be among the leading medal contenders for her age group at the Australian championships before they were called off due to cyclonic conditions.

“I didn’t really expect to get in because Aussies was cancelled and there was only one day of competition,” Owen said. “It was a good surprise getting in and it’s going to be a good experience.”

Owen’s selection would have been influenced by her strong form during the Summer Of Surf series, where she won all of the under-17 board races and placed third in the the open board twice.

“We travelled quite a bit for that and I did quite well in those carnivals,” she said.

“In the next fortnight they pick a team to go to New Zealand[for the International Surf Rescue Challenge] later this year, so that would be the next thing, to make that cut.

“Then they also pick the team from the squad to represent Australia at the world titles next year.”