Teenagers blitz rivals in Stawell Gift

Hot favourite Matthew Rizzo dominates the men’s Stawell Gift final. Picture: AAP

FOR the third year in a row a teenage schoolgirl has gatecrashed the Stawell GIift and left town with the $ 40,000 winner’s cheque.

Liv Ryan, a 16-year-old from Donvale, was the subject of a massive betting plunge on Saturday where she was backed from $ 31 into $ 2 before the heats.

Running from the outside mark of 11m in Monday’s final, Ryan was never threatened to win in 13.74sec from Bridget Powell (9m).

“I cannot believe it, I’m so happy,” Ryan said.

Liv Ryan is hugged by her coach after leading throughout to win the women’s Stawell Gift final. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

Since the women’s prizemoney increased to parity with the men’s event two years ago teenagers have won the women’s gift — 15-year-old Talia Martin last year and 16-year-old Grace O’Dwyer in 2015.

Liv Ryan (nearest) wins the 120m women’s foot race at the famous Central Park at Stawell. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

The men’s event was a walk in the park for odds-on favourite Matthew Rizzo, who was in a league of his own off 7.5m, clocking a slick 12.10sec.

Victory parade: Matthew Rizzo celebrates his big win. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Rizzo, who finished fifth in last year’s final, took time out from his job at Bunnings in Langwarrin to fulfil his dream of winning the Stawell Gift.

More to come

Originally published as Teenagers blitz rivals in Stawell Gift

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