Doherty's Brittnee Martinez called her victory "bittersweet" in the all- around competition at Friday's Class 5A state gymnastics meet.

Martinez, a senior competing in the high school ranks for the first time this season, scored a 38.95 in the all-around to upend three-time defending champion Hannah Bower of Loveland. Bower finished with 38.75.

Martinez's score ties the second-highest total ever, which Bower achieved last season. The best all-around score, 39.0, was set by two-time state champion Carol Ulrich of Broomfield in 1988.

Yet no one can fault Bower's effort, as the state meet was only her second full all-around rotation this season. The other came at regionals last week, where she was the all-around champion. She broke her left ankle three weeks before the start of the season and had competed in only a few meets, doing one or two events in each.

Green Mountain outscored Overland 182.6 to 181.325 to win the team title. Leading the way for the winners was Kelly Stone, who finished fourth in the all- around (38.375). Michelle Tharp finished third (38.425), Overland's Megan Adams was fifth (37.95) and Pine Creek's Hannah Brown was sixth (37.80).

"This is a bittersweet feeling," said Martinez, who will compete at the University of Michigan next season. "I feel bad for taking the title from Hannah because she is so awesome and knowing that she has been hurt most of the season. But it feels good to be the champion. I knew that she was going to be right by my side the whole time, and I was worried about it."

The competition was intense throughout and wasn't decided until the final events - floor exercise for Bower and vault for Martinez. Bower, who trailed 29.15-29.05 after three events, scored a 9.7 on floor. Martinez followed with a 9.8 on her vault, even earning a 9.9 score from one of the four judges.

Martinez held a slim advantage on Bower and Tharp after the first two rotations. She scored a sizzling 9.775 on the uneven bars and 9.625 on the balance beam for a 19.4 tally. Bower scored 9.675 on her vault and 9.625 on her beam routine for 19.3. Tharp counted a 19.2, hitting a 9.675 on the bars and 9.525 on floor.

"Brittnee was the better gymnast tonight, she was amazing and she deserved it," said Bower, who will attend the University of Nebraska. "It helps me to know that my doctor told me that I was not supposed to be back. To come in and do the best I could is more than I could care to hope."

The team race was just as competitive. Overland had the lead after the first two rotations (91.075), while Green Mountain (90.60) and Doherty (90.05) gave chase. Stone's 9.7 as the Rams' final competitor on vault provided the exclamation point.

"I'm not doing gymnastics in college, so this is a great way to end my career," said Stone, a co- op gymnast who attends Wheat Ridge. "I was real happy, because I've personally struggled all season, being out a month with an injury. I just wanted to come in and make all my routines, regardless of what place I would get, and help the team. I'm so thrilled to get the title back."

Also coming through with top efforts for Green Mountain were Mackenzie Comstock (37.225), Taelore Fehr (36.125), Kaitlyn Bodkin (35.55) and Kirstin Boyer (35.175).

"It was down to the wire and the girls pulled through on the two tougher events, beam and bars," Green Mountain coach Sandy Patterson said. "I'm super happy for all of the girls. We worked on pressure situations all week. I've got to hand it to Overland; they did a great job and pushed us to do better. Two championships in three years is very exciting and feels great."

Said Overland coach Alan Herron: "Green Mountain is a great team, and we opened the door for them by making a few mistakes today, and they hit their routines. They are a great team to lose to, but we're really proud of our kids. We gave (Green Mountain) an opportunity and they took it."

Class 5A

Team scores: 1. Green Mountain, 182.60. 2. Overland, 181.325. 3. Doherty, 180.475. 4. Fort Collins, 180.425. 5. Mountain Range, 178.475. 6. Broomfield, 176.375. 7. Cherry Creek, 174.425. 8. Bear Creek, 174.400. 9. Loveland, 174.325. 10. Thompson Valley, 173.225. 11. Rampart, 173.100. 12. Rocky Mountain, 172.775.

All-around: 1. Brittnee Martinez, Doherty, 38.95. 2. Hannah Bower, Loveland, 38.75. 3. Michelle Tharp, Fort Collins, 38.425. 4. Kelly Stone, Green Mountain, 38.375. 5. Megan Adams, Overland, 37.95. 6. Hannah Brown, Pine Creek, 37.80.