Teenagers Bella Pasquali, Ryan Tarrant win Stawell Gift

Teenagers Bella Pasquali and Ryan Tarrant have taken out the women’s and men’s finals of the Stawell Gift, respectively.

“I’m just so excited, so thrilled, I just can’t believe it,” Pasquali told Channel Seven after the race.

Bella Pasquali.Credit: Luke Hemer

Pasquali just edged Grace O’Dwyer, who eight years ago beat Pasquali’s mum Anna to win the Stawell Gift.

An eight-year-old Pasquali was sitting by the track when O’Dwyer, herself a teenager at the time, beat then 37-year-old Anna.

Pasquali has now notched a win for the family in a time of 13.55 seconds, off a mark of 7.25 metres.

Tarrant, who won in 12.23 seconds, said he ran the Gift “for a bit of fun”. He was swamped by his friends immediately after his win became clear.

“The atmosphere is unbelievable,” Tarrant told Channel Seven. “Better than nationals.”

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