If Hannah Bower wins her fourth all-around state title Saturday, she will be among the top ranks of Colorado prep gymnasts.
The fact the Loveland senior is even competing — let alone the favorite in Class 5A — might have already earned her that distinction.
About eight weeks ago, Bower landed awkwardly during practice and turned both ankles. She remembers trying to breathe calmly as the pain intensified and her ankles bloomed into softball- sized welts. One ankle was sprained. One fibula was snapped near her foot.
Doctor’s prognosis? Don’t get your hopes up about competing this fall.
“It pushed me to my limits, because I actually didn’t start doing all the events until about three weeks ago,” Bower said. “It’s tested my limits and my faith. I’m just trusting God and knowing that it’s all going to work out.”
Things went swimmingly last week as Bower competed for the first time and won the all-around in Region C with a score of 37.875.
There was plenty of pain, but it wasn’t severe, said Bower, who credits her doctor, physical therapist and two chiropractors for their aggressive treatment. She still has a tiny fracture in her ankle and her Achilles is inflamed, which nags her primarily on the vault.
“She’s probably one of the most determined kids I’ve ever met,” Loveland coach Wendy Thompson said. “She takes a challenge and instead of cowering to it, she rises above it. I haven’t met too many kids that have that drive.”
The best part of last week, however, was her desire to compete, to feel that pressure of all eyes watching and score highly enough to get the Indians into state as a team, which they did.
See, Region C wasn’t all about Bower and her quest for a fourth all-around title. When she fell off the beam at regionals, she wasn’t worried about how it would affect her score.
“Her first thing was to say, ‘Sorry,’ ” Thompson said. “She was worried about the team not making state. I think she just felt so devastated that her senior year, she might end up being there alone.”
Bower scored a 38.950 in the all-around last year for her third successive victory and tied Marilyn Price of Steamboat Springs — who won her trifecta from 1976-78 — for the state record.
What would it be like to break the record?
“It would be amazing to accomplish it,” said Bower, who has a 3.92 grade-point average and has narrowed her colleges choices to Nebraska and Penn State. “I wouldn’t even know what to think if I did.”
The Indians will begin with the vault and end with the floor at state. Bower said she is usually tense until she finishes her beam routine. The only event she has not won at least once at state is the bars. A victory in that would be a special addition, especially since bars was her best event when she was young.
Bower knows she has room to improve her scores from last week and little time to work on it. But that’s OK by her. She knows some stress will creep in but finds herself leaning more on providence than practice.
Class 4A and 5A gymnastics
Where: Thornton High School
When: Friday competition begins at 2:30 p.m. Saturday: 4A all-around competition begins at 9:30 a.m., individual apparatus events begin at 6 p.m.
5A regional winners: Overland, Thompson Valley, Green Mountain.
5A individuals to watch: Hannah Bower, Loveland; Mackenzie Comstock, Green Mountain; Michelle Tharp, Fort Collins; Gentry Knaub, Thompson Valley; Brittnee Martinez, Doherty; Sara Moldenhauer, Doherty; Megan Adams, Overland; Melanie Reis, Rampart; Katilyn Olson, Bear Creek.
4A teams to watch: Pueblo Central, Evergreen, Elizabeth.
4A individuals to watch: Tera Sisson, Pueblo Central; Amy Button, Elizabeth; Mandy Flesche, Evergreen; Lexi Shaffer, Fort Morgan; Bethel Lindsley, Evergreen; Erin Krause, Sterling.
