THORNTON — More than one gymnast fell to the mat during the Class 4A state gymnastics meet. But only one fall was caused by uncontrollable joy.
Mountain Range thought it had fallen short of the team title by a mere tenth of a point Saturday in the Thornton High School gymnasium. When the scores were officially announced, however, the young Mustangs edged defending champion Pueblo Central.
Mountain Range fans erupted in the stands, one Mustang gymnast collapsed to the mat and coach Jo-Di Tapia couldn’t keep her eyes from filling with tears.
“This is a shock. We thought we lost by one-tenth,” Tapia said. “Somebody couldn’t add.”
The math was fine, actually. After the events were completed, Mountain Range did trail by one-tenth of a point. The difference was a one-point deduction from Pueblo Central’s total team score for “deliberate disruption” by an unspecified coach, according to an official for the Colorado High School Activities Association.
Mountain Range – led by Anna Simmons, Jamie Fiske and Shaunie Abbott – picked the best possible time to record its highest team tally of the season.
Simmons was a big reason why. The sophomore issued another stellar, power-packed performance to hold off Tera Sisson of Pueblo Central for a second consecutive all-around title.
“This year was a lot better than last season, by a long shot,” Simmons said. “I’m doing a lot better sticking my landings and just being more consistent with my skills.”
The all-around title, as well as the four titles for individual apparatus, figured to be a showdown between Simmons and Sisson. And it was, but for the last time as Mountain Range will move up a class to 5A next season.
The fans on hand knew it, as all eyes in the gym turned to watch the performances of Simmons and Sisson.
Simmons displayed her unparalleled power on the vault, and she rocked her floor performance for a score of 9.700, her highest of the season.
Sisson, who won a state title last season on floor, showed the grace and elegance that puts her among the best in the state in any classification.
“(Simmons) has more skills than I do, but I think I can keep up with her in some events,” Sisson said.
Evergreen edged Elizabeth for third place in the team standings, and Summit rounded out the top five.
Evergreen’s Bethel Lindsley placed third in the all-around standings, while Mountain Range’s Fiske held off Kaitlin Stewart of Liberty for fourth place.
In the evening session both classifications determined individual apparatus winners.
In Class 5A, Fort Collins’ Michelle Tharp made up for a disappointing Friday by winning the floor (9.775) and uneven bars (9.8).
All-around champion Hannah Bower of Loveland won the beam (9.675) and vault (9.8).
Simmons made it a clean sweep on the 4A side, including 9.7 scores on the floor and vault. Her 9.675 score on the beam tied Sisson, but was awarded first place after a tiebreaker.
