At just 16, Victorian teenager Bella Pasquali has won the women’s Stawell Gift in the historic gold mining town of Stawell, taking home $40,000 in prize money.
Pasquali won the 120m race in 13.55 off a mark of 7.25m, beating Grace O’Dwyer — the competitor who had won over her mother, Anna Pasquali, in 2015. Anna was 37 when she raced against O’Dwyer. Bella was eight, watching her mother who came second to O’Dwyer.
Anna described her daughter’s win as “amazing”, telling the Herald she was “grateful” Bella was not “in the blue.”
“I thought that was going to jinx us again,” she said. “It worked out perfectly for Bella. It was just an amazing day for her.”
The 45 year old mother of three also reflected on her opponent’s win eight years ago.
“Grace has got a mind on her that’s better than I had when I was 37 and trying to beat Grace. She’s just cool, calm and collected, nothing fazes her. It’s an unbelievable moment for her.”
“At that time my kids were six, seven and eight, Bella was eight. I was off 14 [metres] and Grace was off 10.25 metres, she was in the blue.”
Pasquali is a Year 11 student from Wangaratta, a rural city northeast of Victoria. She is coached by Jason Boulton, a Wangaratta local and former pro-runner.
Pasquali told reporters there is no animosity or desire for revenge against O’Dwyer.
“We love Gracie and the O’Dwyer family, but it’s good to get a win that Mum couldn’t,” Pasquali told the Herald.
“I do remember Mum’s race. I used to say to her, at least you didn’t come last. Back then I was eight so that’s quite a long time ago.”
“I literally said to Mum a few days ago, ‘Mum I’d probably be very upset, but I’d have to laugh if I did come second to Grace. It would be very upsetting, but it would be funny’.”
On Facebook, her father, Wally, posted an image of his daughter on the shoulders of O’Dwyer, accompanying the image with his praise:
“I love these 2 Girls!! Amazing Kids that have developed a really strong bond! Gracie O’Dwyer is such a gracious person! The sport has been so kind to my little Bella Pasquali and this just gives her some impotence for the future.”
“So many people to thank, none more than her coach Jason Boulton who had everything to lose when he changed her training to speed work and forego her 400 work. It was all worth it Jason and we will forever be grateful. We knew you could do it. #masterfulcoach”
Wally was also a Stawell finalist, back in 1990, when he placed fifth.
Pasquali now has her eyes set on the national trials for the Commonwealth Youth Games, which will be held in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in August.