The days leading up to the state tournament were especially emotional for Hannah Brown.

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The clock was ticking down on a gymnastics career that started when she was 4. And the Pine Creek senior had recently tweaked a knee after battling a back injury all season.

“Hannah was in tears the week before state,” coach Amber Curry said. “Not because of the pain she was in, but because she’d spent 14 years working for this. She said, ‘All I have to show for 14 years in gymnastics is screws in my knee.’”

Brown, who endured six knee surgeries during her career and had another this month, remained focused on one goal.

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“I just wanted a first-place medal,” she said.

Odds were against the gutsy gymnast, who received two cortisone shots during the season for back pain and went to a chiropractor four days a week for three months.

“If you love it, you’re not going to stop because of the pain,” Brown said matter-of-factly. “I love gymnastics more than anything. And it’s my senior year so I wasn’t about to give up, especially after all I’d been through.”

Brown finished 20th in all-around but rallied to claim third in floor exercise and sixth on uneven bars.

“I think she deserved the top score in floor,” Curry said. “I think she was as good as (winner) Michelle Tharp, but Michelle does club. And in gymnastics, it’s all about the name and reputation.”

Brown was a promising club gymnast until starting high school, when she opted to compete for Pine Creek and leave her club team.

“I only do gymnastics three months a year and I was really happy with third,” Brown said. “And it was great to be with my closest friends during my last week of gymnastics.”

Hannah Brown Photo by MARIAH TAUGER, THE GAZETTE