For the previous three seasons, Brittnee Martinez had been just one in the crowd at Doherty gymnastics meets. That's because the Spartans senior opted to compete at the club level rather than for her high school.

But this season the 5-foot- 11/2 Martinez has been dynamic for Doherty and enters the Class 5A state meet Friday at Thornton High School as the gymnast to beat. She enters with the best all- around score, 38.7, as well as the top efforts on the vault (9.75) and floor exercise (9.65).

"I was very excited to do high school this year," said Martinez, who has a full-ride scholarship awaiting her at the University of Michigan. "It was my earlier decision not to compete (in) high school, as I wanted to focus on my college scholarship.

"My year has gone as I had hoped it would," said Martinez, a fifth-place finisher during the summer at the age group nationals in Florida. "I know there are some good girls I'll be facing. Among those for sure, Hannah Bower (Loveland), Gentry Knaub (Thompson Valley), Kelly Stone (Green Mountain) and Michelle Tharp (Fort Collins). But I don't want to overlook anyone."

Certainly, don't count out Bower, a three-time all-around champion. Of the contenders, Knaub has the second highest all- around total this season (38.075), and like Martinez, she has been healthy all season. Even though Bower, Tharp and Stone have battled through injuries this season, they appear to be on the rebound.

Bower, tied with Martinez this season with a 9.725 top score on the uneven bars, finally hit her stride by winning the Region C title (37.875) last week. Tharp, third in her region and with a top score of 9.675 on the balance beam this season, will defend her state titles on the floor exercise and uneven bars.

Overland appears to have the edge in the team competition. The Trailblazers of coach Alan Herron won their state-qualifying region with a whopping score of 181.1. While they don't have an individual leader in the all- around, they are blessed with superb balance with Megan Adams (36.975), Lauren Hanley (36.05) and Emma Olson (35.5).

"Our strength is our depth, and we have six solid girls to count on," Herron said. "Green Mountain is fantastic, and they will not let us walk away with anything. But if we take care of business, I think we will be tough to beat."

Green Mountain had the second-best team effort at the regional meets, 179.25. Mackenzie Comstock was the all-around runner-up for the Rams (37.575) at regionals, and Stone came through with a 37.4 for fourth.

Defending champion Bear Creek placed fourth in Region A (173.975), meaning the Bears could find it difficult to defend their title. Mountain Range, which won the 4A title last season, is at 5A now. The Mustangs, who placed second in Region A behind Thompson Valley and who are led by Jamie Fiske and Brittany Logan, could challenge.

CLASS 4A: Pueblo Central's Tera Sisson is favored to regain the all-around title she won as a freshman in 2005. Her top competition should come from Evergreen's Bethel Lindsley, who enters with the top all-around score this season, 37.5, to Sisson's 37.28.

Should either falter, Fort Morgan's Lexi Shaffer (36.625) could emerge. Evergreen's Mandy Fleche (35.5), Sisson teammate Jennifer Rockwell (35.05) and Elizabeth's Katie Cordova (34.95) also are talented enough to prevail.

Pueblo Central (175.95) posted the top team total this season, but the Wildcats won't look past Evergreen (173.625) or Elizabeth (170.95).