WESTON, Mass. — Isabella (Bella) Pettinato stands out as a remarkable three-sport athlete, having dedicated 12 years to both swim/dive and softball and four years to field hockey. She has been a consistent force on the WHS Red Tide and Field Hockey teams as well as on the Weston-Watertown High School Softball team.

While excelling in softball early on, earning DCL All-Star titles in both her freshman and sophomore years, Bella discovered her greatest success in diving. As a 10th grader, she placed 2nd in the North Sectional meet and 12th at States. As a junior, she placed 2nd at the DCLs, 3rd at Sectionals, and 6th at States. This year, Bella came in 4th at the DCLs with her personal best score for the season and 5th at Sectionals, contributing to the Weston Girls Swim/Dive team placing 2nd at the DCLs (1st in the Foley Division) and 2nd at Sectionals. Bella’s prowess extends to Red Tide’s history, where she ranks as the 6th best diver for 11 dives and holds the distinction of being one of the select few Red Tide members who have participated in Sectionals for both swimming and diving.

A key attribute driving her success in both sports is her unmistakable power. Whether achieving impressive heights in diving or delivering a formidable hit in softball, Bella’s strength sets her apart as a force to be reckoned with in both of her chosen sports.

Congrats, Bella!

Interview with Bella:

What are your personal goals within your sport(s)/athletic dreams?

Bella Pettinato: To have an impact on, and find a community in, my teams. The Weston teams I have been a part of have more than fulfilled these dreams, and I hope to find the same after high school by joining a dive team in college.

What do you love about your sport(s)?

Pettinato: The teams! Some of the funniest people I know are on the WHS Dive team. I’ve never laughed harder with a team than I have with them during gingerbread house making, trips to Target, or when someone messes up a dive and smacks on the water. I’ve also loved being part of the Watertown softball team with its different school traditions and team dinners.

What is your biggest challenge in your sport(s), and what do you do to manage this challenge?

Pettinato: For diving, I have faced many mental blocks, especially after hitting the board or smacking the water really hard. To get past this, I just have to keep doing it over and over until I feel more confident.

What was the best advice you were ever given?

Pettinato: To live in the moment and just have fun. Being a senior, I will never get to swim or dive with these people again after this year; and, if I spend too much time worrying about the post-season or college, I won’t get to appreciate the people I’m surrounded with now.

Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.

Pettinato: During an important meet, I failed a dive that was usually one of my best dives. Despite that setback, I had to get back up on the board and finish competing no matter how distraught that failure made me.

What do you like to do outside of your sport(s)?

Pettinato: I like to spend a lot of time with friends and family. I love playing Mario Kart or board games with my 8-year-old brother, Dominic.

What has being a member of a team taught you?

Pettinato: Being a member of a team that’s based on you individually and as a whole team has taught me that every person on the team is important. Swimming meets are all about depth, so it doesn’t always matter who’s getting first place, but who is putting in the effort to get 3rd or 4th.

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