STAWELL - Ballarat sprinter Holly Dobbyn has taken out the State of Victoria Strickland Family Stawell Women's Gift at just seventeen years of age.
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Dobbyn, a Ballarat Grammar student, has been preparing for this day for a long time and now that it is here, she can't believe it.
"It's amazing, I'm so ecstatic, " Dobbyn said
"I've worked really hard to get here and now I'm so excited."
Dobbyn recorded the fastest of the semi final times, stopping the clock at 13.42 seconds and earning herself the race favourite title.
Along with being the race favourite, she was also a clear favourite amongst the crowd, with cheers bellowing around Central Park as she was introduced.
In the final Dobbyn never looked like being beaten.
"I thought it would take me a little bit longer to catch them in the final, but once I did I was just so excited," Dobbyn said.
She eliminated the handicap margin and kicked on to be in front by almost two metres in the final stages of the race, giving her time to soak it all in before she crossed the line.
Her final time was an impressive 13.30 seconds to see her finish ahead of Ararat's Sarah Blizzard and Ballarat's Kate Jones.
Prior to running at Stawell Dobbyn had torn her hamstring, ruling her out of her Gift in her home town of Ballarat.
"I was really disappointed to not be able to run in my home Gift," Dobbyn said.
"To be here and to win the Women's Gift at Stawell at my age, it's a great thrill."
Trainer Peter O'Dwyer is an experienced coach and leading into the race, gave Dobbyn all the confidence she needed to be victorious.
Dobbyn mentioned her training partners Tara Domaschenz and Grace O'Dwyer who are also POD Squad members (Peter O'Dwyer squad members), for being her closest competition and training partners throughout the year.
The 17 year old admitted to having some nerves as she got to the blocks, but found it harder in the semi final.
"I was really nervous for the semis," she said.
"I settled a little bit for the final, composed myself a little, but I was still nervous."
Dobbyn will now commence winter training which isn't as tough or as full on, but remains a priority in the school girl's life.