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On balance, in 5A, Bower's too much

Sophomore's consistency key to second straight overall title

Scott Stocker, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 4, 2006 at midnight

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THORNTON - Loveland's Hannah Bower turned out the lights on her competition Friday as she repeated as the Class 5A all-around state gymnastics champion.

Bower, a sophomore, scored a clinching 9.70 on her final event, the vault, to edge Fort Collins freshman Michelle Tharp. Bower finished with a score of 38.675 to Tharp's 38.475.

Tharp knew that to win, she needed at least 9.85 on her final event, the floor exercise. During the routine, Bower sat at the edge of the mat, watching intently. Tharp fell short, though, scoring 9.65.

There was a glimmer of hope, though, during a day in which the lights went on and off at Thornton High School, prompting the meet to run longer than usual. Tharp's music stopped during her floor routine, meaning she would have been allowed to do her routine again if she wanted. She declined.

Bower became the fourth consecutive all-around titlist from Loveland, but she is the first Indians gymnast to win back-to-back championships. -Thompson Valley's Gentry Knaub finished third with a score of 38.025 to edge Green Mountain's Alie Bowen (38.00).

In the team race, behind Bowen and teammate Kelly Stone, Green Mountain won the title with 183.225 points. The Rams' win capped a Jefferson County League sweep of the top three teams. Bear Creek finished second, with 180.725, and Arvada West was third, with 180.375.

Two-time defending champion Rocky Mountain finished eighth (176.825).

Bower was solid, as usual. Along with her 9.70 on vault, she also scored 9.70 on the uneven bars, 9.70 on floor and 9.575 on the balance beam. It was the third time in five meetings this season Bower beat Tharp.

"I think I was just more determined this year, as I wanted to prove to people that you don't have to compete in club all the time to win," said Bower, who gave up club gymnastics this season. "Michelle is an awesome gymnast. It is just a huge honor to be the first at Loveland to win two titles."

Tharp said she knew her situation heading to the floor exercise but decided not to do her routine again after it was over.

"I don't think there was any way I would get a higher score," said Tharp, who scored 9.50 on her vault, 9.75 on the bars and 9.575 on the beam. "I was tired after the event, so I don't think I could have improved. I just did the best I could."

In a way, Bower led the event from start to finish. She and Tharp did get fine competition, though, from Knaub, Bowen, Stone and Pine Creek's Kristin Milardo. Heading into the final rotation, the all- around title was up for grabs.

Milardo and Stone tied for fifth, with scores of 37.90. Stone had a great opportunity to finish first or second, but a costly fall on the balance beam took her out of contention.

Bowen and Stone wish they would have finished higher individually, but a team title for their school and coach Sandy Patterson had them more than thrilled.

"This is awesome," said Patterson, who was a member of Green Mountain's state championship team in 1992. "I have come full circle. The kids did just great. A Jeffco sweep - it's just wonderful for us and our league."

There were some anxious moments in the team race. After two rotations, Bear Creek led with a score of 91.525, ahead of Arvada West (90.550) and Rocky Mountain (90.475). Green Mountain was in fourth, with 90.475.

"I had my doubts that we might not be able to do it after the second rotation," Bowen said. "I didn't have my best night in any of my events except vault (9.575). But we came back, and I couldn't be more pleased."

Said Stone: "We were pointing toward winning state after last year but I, too, had some thoughts in the back of my mind we might not pull it off. But we've worked too hard not to be here.

"Individually, I think I had a chance to be in the top three had I not fallen on the beam. But a team title, this is just so great."

Team scores - 1. Green Mountain, 183.225. 2. Bear Creek, 180.725. 3. Arvada West, 180.375. 4. Fort Collins, 180.125. 5. Loveland, 179.175. 6. Broomfield, 177.550. 7. Pine Creek, 177.025. 8. Rocky Mountain, 176.825. 9. Overland, 175.925. 10. Thompson Valley, 175.850. 11. Eaglecrest, 175.450. 12. Ponderosa, 174.825.

All-around - 1. Hannah Bower, Loveland, 38.675. 2. Michelle Tharp, Fort Collins, 38.475. 3. Gentry Knaub, Thompson Valley, 38.025. 4. Alie Bowen, Green Mountain, 38.00. 5 (tie). Kristin Milardo, Pine Creek, 37.90 and Kelly Stone, Green Mountain, 37.90.

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