Anna Simmons would make a good contestant on Fear Factor.

Simmons won the Class 4A state gymnastics all-around title last season and is the favorite to repeat. Strange as it might seem, though, the Mountain Range sophomore looks fear in the face whenever she competes.

Simmons scored a career-best 38.05 last season to beat defending champion Tera Sisson of Pueblo Central. She then went on to win three of the four individual events - balance beam, uneven bars and vault. She finished second on the floor exercise to Sisson, who also returns this season.

"I'm not the greatest on bars, and they actually scare me," said Simmons, who helped pace first-year Mountain Range to a fourth-place team finish. "But I like being scared on my events. If I do something that comes easy, then I do not feel that I am accomplishing anything. Easy does not challenge me."

Like all top gymnasts, Simmons spends long hours in the practice gym, usually up to five hours a day. She hopes those hours and eventual honors will translate into an athletic scholarship.

That effort, and her hope to lead Mountain Range to the state team title, is why coach Jo-Di Tapia is so high on her standout performer.

"There is a lot of intensity, and she does not have much fear," Tapia said. "But what also makes her special is that she is one of the most powerful gymnasts I've seen in a long time.

"Anna is great about including her teammates in everything. She has a delightful sense of humor and brings a lot of life to the gym in practice."

Even though she finished second in floor, Simmons said that event, along with vault, are her favorites. She said that while competing, she does not really like to watch her competitors.

"I like to zone out, not focusing on others," the 5-foot-3 Simmons said. "I just want to concentrate on what I and my teammates are doing. We've done well, and I hope that continues this season."

Simmons, who admits she has little time for hobbies, also is overcoming a shoulder injury from her summer competition.

"I tell my mom (Maria Naven) that I would like to have a little more free time," Simmons said with a chuckle. "She tells me, 'You picked the sport, so stay with it.' College is still a way off, but, right now,

UCLA and the University of Denver are my top choices."

As several of the state's top gymnasts often do, Simmons might not compete for the high school team during her junior year, instead focusing on her club team while traveling to major meets, where many college coaches congregate. Then it would be back to high school for her senior campaign.

By then, Mountain Range will be competing at the 5A level. For now, Simmons hopes to lead Mountain Range to a high state finish, if not a 4A state title.

NOTEBOOK

• It should to be interesting at the top of the podium, as all six members of the Rocky Mountain News All-Colorado gymnastics team return.

Loveland junior Hannah Bower will be seeking her third consecutive all-around title, but it is not a sure thing for the two-time gymnast of the year. Pressing her will be the runner-up, sophomore Michelle Tharp of Fort Collins, the third-place finisher and crosstown rival, Gentry Knaub of Thompson Valley, Pine Creek's Kristin Milardo and Kelly Stone of state team champion Green Mountain.

Anna Simmons of Mountain Range was the only 4A competitor to make the All-Colorado team last season. She, too, returns.

• The Jefferson County League pulled off a 1-2-3 team sweep at state last season, ending the domination enjoyed by the Front Range League for seven consecutive seasons.

Again, Green Mountain, runner-up Bear Creek and third-place Arvada West appear ready to make another run Nov. 2-3 at Thornton High School.

• Overland and Doherty also appear ready to make significant bids for the title after some intriguing summer happenings.

Alan Herron coached Overland and Eaglecrest last season, but the two schools now will compete as one team - Overland. Lack of numbers between the two schools caused the consolidation.

"With our good girls back from each school, mainly Allison Griego, Cristi Horber, Kayla Bushman and Kaylee Moore, we expect to be competitive," Herron said. "Then we have some fine incoming freshmen, including a Seattle move-in, Kennedy Richmond, that will bolster the squad."

The numbers picked up at Doherty, as coach Mark Cummings welcomed two former club level-10 gymnasts who were injured last year and did not compete. Hoping to lift the Spartans are seniors Kaitlyn Luttrell and Cedar Yardumian. The Spartans also added Flavia Tinner, a senior from Switzerland who could make a big impact.

• Take a good look at Chatfield, where second-year coach Tara Emily welcomes four level-nine freshmen to the squad. They join sophomore Karin Schwartz, also a level-nine gymnast, making the Chargers a contending team.

"The next few years look pretty good, to say the least," Emily said. "No doubt, we are very excited."

Pueblo Central ended Sterling's four-year run in Class 4A last season, and the Wildcats, behind Tera Sisson, Jennifer Rockwell and Kelsey Downs, would like to make it two team titles in a row.

Sterling nearly made it five consecutive titles, losing by a scant 0.4 points. The Tigers should be in the hunt, as usual, seeking their eighth overall championship. Lyndsey Meier and Erin Krause will be among their team leaders.

Also in 4A, third-place state finisher Evergreen and Mountain Range, which placed fourth, have the gymnasts back to compete.

stockers@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5275

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