The bigger the occasion, the tougher it is to pass speedster Amelia Mazza-Downie.
The Seaholme resident has long been known in the western suburbs sports community as an outstanding distance runner.
But now the rest of the world has seen just how talented the 15-year-old is.
Mazza-Downie recently returned from an all-conquering trip to the US at which she claimed her first major event on the world stage.
Competing in the Simplot Games, Mazza-Downie won gold in the 3200 metres and narrowly missed breaking the event record.
The Simplot Games is the largest high school indoor track and field event in the US with 2000 athletes competing across three days each year in Pocatello, Idaho.
“It was exciting but scary at first because I didn’t know anyone,” Mazza-Downie said.
“I didn’t know how I would compare to anyone from overseas or how I would go.
“I was hoping just to place and was really happy with the result. I knew my fastest time was really close to breaking the record. In the last lap, I was really pushing it and I didn’t quite get it. I was 0.8 [seconds] off.”
The win capped off an amazing 12 months for Mazza-Downie, who won a state championship in the 3000 metres and a gold medal at the 2014 cross-country national championships. It’s the third year in a row the Maribyrnong College student has won gold at the cross-country national titles.
Running upwards of 60 kilometres a week as part of her training, she says she has always enjoyed the longer-distance events.
“When I was nine I did my first cross-country race for school and I placed really well.
“I just thought it was the sport for me because I really enjoyed it. I have never even tried to do shorter events because I am not good at them.”
Mazza-Downie has turned her attention to the 2015 world youth championships, for which she has already run the qualifying time.
She’s waiting on confirmation from Athletics Australia about her inclusion in the team.
The world youth championships will take place in Colombia in July.
Don Deeble Rising Star award
For her outstanding sports achievements, Mazza-Downie has been named as a monthly nominee for the Don Deeble Rising Star award.
The award is run by the Sunshine Western Region Sports Club in conjunction with Star Weekly.
Mazza-Downie will receive $1000 donated by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club and other prizes to help reach her future sporting goals.
The Don Deeble Rising Star award recognises young athletes in the western suburbs who have achieved outstanding results at a state and national level.
To nominate someone for the Don Deeble Rising Star Award, email ltwomey@mmpgroup.com.au.
Previous winners
Check out our archive of previous Don Deeble Rising Star winners
