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Bailie Key
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Bailie Jaye Key (born March 16, 1999) is a retired American artistic gymnast. She was a member of the gold-medal-winning team at the 2014 Pacific Rim Championships and was the 2013 U.S. Junior National Champion.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Key was born in Augusta, Georgia and trained at Texas Dreams Gymnastics under former gymnast and Olympic bronze medalist Kim Zmeskal and her husband, Chris Burdette. Her teammates included Peyton Ernst, Kennedy Baker and Veronica Hults.
Gymnastics career
[edit]2011–14: Junior international elite
[edit]In July 2011, Key competed at the 2011 U.S. CoverGirl Classic in Chicago, Illinois. She placed seventh in the overall standings. Later that year, she competed in the Visa National Championships. She came in ninth overall with a two-day combined score of 109.550.
Key competed at the 2012 City of Jesolo Trophy. She won a gold medal with the team. She scored 14.250 on the floor exercise, which was enough to give her a bronze medal, and she was third in the all-around. At the U.S. Classic, she scored a 56.600, placing fifth. A few weeks later, at the Visa Championships, Key finished fourth in the all-around but got a bronze medal on the balance beam and floor exercise.
In March 2013, Key went to the 2013 City of Jesolo Trophy. She won the all-around gold medal with 58.100 and another two golds and one bronze in the event finals. In July, she competed at the Secret U.S. Classic, where she won the all-around title with a score of 58.250. She scored a 14.000 on floor, 14.250 on uneven bars to finish in fifth, 15.000 on vault to place third, and 15.000 on beam to place second. In August, Key competed at the P&G National Championships, which took place over two days, with the combined scores determining final placings. Key won gold in the all-around, beam and floor and placed fourth on bars and vault. Her scores for Day 1 were 15.350 on beam, 13.950 on bars, 14.800 on floor and 15.100 on vault. Her Day 2 scores were 15.550 on beam, 14.100 on bars, 14.950 on floor and 14.750 on vault. Her total all-around score was 118.550.
Following her all-around win at the P&G Championships, Key was selected along with Laurie Hernandez, who placed second at the P&G Championships, to represent the United States at the Junior Japan International in Yokohama, Japan. Key won the all-around with a score of 58.400. She also won the vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise titles.
In November, Key was selected, along with fellow junior gymnasts Hernandez, Veronica Hults and Emily Gaskins and senior gymnasts Maggie Nichols and Peyton Ernst to represent the United States at the 2013 Mexican Open in Acapulco, Mexico. Key helped the American juniors take the team title in the International Junior Cup and also won the all-around title ahead of Hernandez, Gaskins and Hults, who finished second, third and fourth, respectively; however, only Key and Hernandez were awarded the gold and silver medals because of a two-per-country rule.
In 2014, Key competed at the City of Jesolo Trophy in Jesolo, Italy. The United States won the team competition, and she won the all-around and three events (vault, bars and floor) and placed second on beam. She was named to the American team for the Pacific Rim Championships in Richmond, Canada, in April 2014. There, she won the all-around, vault and floor medals for the junior division and placed second on uneven bars and balance beam.[2]
Key withdrew from the 2014 Secret U.S. Classic because of a minor arm injury.[3]
Later in the season, she withdrew from the 2014 P&G National Championships with the same nagging arm injury and was consequently unable to defend her national title.
On September 14, 2014, Key verbally committed to the Florida Gators women's gymnastics team. She announced the news through social media.[4]
2015–2016: Senior career
[edit]Key became age-eligible for senior level competition in 2015. In March of that year she competed at the 2015 City of Jesolo Trophy as part of the United States' senior team. In the all-around she won silver behind Simone Biles with a score of 59.500, surpassing both Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman. She placed second on the uneven bars and won a gold medal with the U.S team. On July 25, Key competed at the 2015 U.S. Classic. She placed fourth in the all-around with a score of 59.450, behind Biles, Gabby Douglas, and Maggie Nichols. She placed third on uneven bars behind Madison Kocian and Douglas, tied for fifth on balance beam with Nichols, and tied for third with Nichols on floor exercise behind Biles and Douglas. At the 2015 National Championships Key finished fourth in the all-around with a 2-night score of 118.350, behind Biles, Nichols, and Raisman. Overall she finished tenth on balance beam, third on floor exercise, and third on uneven bars. Key was named to the Senior National Team for the first time and received an invitation to the 2015 Worlds Selection Camp in September.[5][6] She was named as a non-traveling alternate to the 2015 World Championships team.
Key was scheduled to compete at the 2016 U.S. Classic, but she later withdrew. Two weeks later, Key had decided to end her 2016 season due to an ongoing back injury, therefore ending her potential bid for the 2016 U.S. Women's Olympic Gymnastics team and her elite gymnastics career.[7]
On September 30, 2016, Key announced that she had committed to the University of Alabama and the Alabama Crimson Tide gymnastics team,[8] having previously been verbally committed to the University of Florida. She signed the National Letter of Intent to the University of Alabama and the Crimson Tide gymnastics team on November 10, 2016.[9]
2018–2019: NCAA career
[edit]Key joined the University of Alabama Crimson Tide gymnastics team for the 2018 season. She competed in the season opener at Michigan, where she fell off the balance beam, receiving a score of 8.475.[10] This would ultimately be the only competitive routine of her college career.
In January 2019, it was announced that Key would miss the 2019 season due to an unspecified medical procedure.[11]
In June 2019, Key announced her retirement from gymnastics.[12]
Competitive history
[edit]| Year | Event | Team | AA | VT | UB | BB | FX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | |||||||
| 2011 | American Classic | 6 | 8 | 8 | 
| ||
| CoverGirl Classic | 7 | 6 | |||||
| Visa Championships | 9 | 8 | 7 | ||||
| 2012 | City of Jesolo Trophy | |
 |
 |
6 | ||
| Secret U.S. Classic | 5 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | ||
| U.S. National Championships | 4 | |
7 | |
| ||
| 2013 | City of Jesolo Trophy | |
|
|
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| |
| GER-ROU-USA Friendly | |
|
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| Secret U.S. Classic | |
|
5 | |
5 | ||
| P&G Championships | |
4 | 4 | |
| ||
| Japan Junior International | |
|
|
|
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| Mexico Open | |
|
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| 2014 | City of Jesolo Trophy | |
|
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|
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| Pacific Rim Championships | |
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| |
| Senior | |||||||
| 2015 | City of Jesolo Trophy | |
|
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| Secret U.S. Classic | 4 | |
5 |
| |||
| P&G Championships | 4 | |
10 |
| |||
References
[edit]- ^ "Alabama's Bailie Key retiring from gymnastics". Archived from the original on June 10, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ^ "USA wins five event gold medals at 2014 Pac Rim Championships". USA Gymnastics. April 12, 2014.
- ^ "The Latest on Bailie Key". August 1, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
- ^ @Bailie_Key (September 14, 2014). "Bailie Key on Twitter: "I am so excited to say that I have verbally committed to the University of Florida! Go gators! 🔸🔷🐊🔷🔸"" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 22, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2014 – via Twitter.
- ^ "2015 P&G Championships - Women Day 2 Meet Results" Archived September 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. usagym.org. August 15, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- ^ "2015 P&G Championships - Women Day 2 Event Results" Archived September 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. usagym.org. August 15, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
- ^ VAVEL.com (June 21, 2016). "Bailie Key, Jazmyn Foberg end their 2016 season". VAVEL. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "2017-18 Key to Bama - CollegeGymFans.com". Retrieved March 30, 2017.
- ^ "Instagram post by Bailie Key • Nov 10, 2016 at 12:02am UTC". Retrieved March 30, 2017.
- ^ "Teams". roadtonationals.com. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "Alabama Gymnast Bailie Key Out for the Season Following Medical Procedure". University of Alabama Athletics. January 4, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "Bailie Key Retires from Gymnastics". University of Alabama Athletics. June 7, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
External links
[edit]- Bailie Key at the International Gymnastics Federation
- Bailie Key at USA Gymnastics
- Official website at the Wayback Machine (archived April 19, 2013)
Bailie Key
View on GrokipediaPersonal background
Early life
Bailie Key was born on March 16, 1999, in Augusta, Georgia.[6] She is the daughter of Dannette and James Key, and has a sister named Rylie, who participates in softball, barrel racing, and dance.[1][6] Her family relocated to Montgomery, Texas, when she was young, where Montgomery became her hometown.[1] Key graduated from high school in 2017 from Lakeland Christian Academy, a school in the Montgomery area.[6] She began gymnastics training at the age of three.[1]Initial training
Bailie Key began gymnastics at the age of three in 2002, after standing on her head and performing tricks off the couch and bed at home, prompting her parents to enroll her for safety reasons.[1] Her family provided strong support for her early interest in the sport, encouraging her initial steps into the discipline. Her later development occurred at Texas Dreams Gymnastics under coaches Kim Zmeskal-Burdette and Chris Burdette.[1]Gymnastics career
Junior elite career (2011–2014)
Key qualified as a junior elite gymnast in 2011, competing in her first national events that year, including the American Classic where she placed first on floor exercise, fifth all-around, eighth on vault and uneven bars.[1] She trained at Texas Dreams Gymnastics in Coppell, Texas, under coaches Kim Zmeskal-Burdette and Chris Burdette, who guided her development throughout her junior career.[1] Key's early training foundation at Texas Dreams, building on her initial gymnastics experiences, enabled her rapid progression to elite status.[7] In 2013, Key achieved a major breakthrough by winning the all-around title at the P&G Championships, the U.S. Junior National Championships, with a score of 118.550, ahead of Laurie Hernandez and Amelia Hundley.[8] She also claimed gold on balance beam and floor exercise, while placing fourth on vault and uneven bars at the event.[1] Earlier that year, at the Secret U.S. Classic, Key had won the junior all-around competition, solidifying her position as a top junior contender.[9] Key continued her success internationally in 2014, contributing to the U.S. team's gold medal at the Pacific Rim Championships and earning individual gold medals in the all-around, vault, and floor exercise, along with silver on uneven bars and balance beam.[1] Her all-around score of 59.250 highlighted her versatility across events.[10] Earlier in the year, she had won gold in the team, all-around, vault, uneven bars, and floor exercise at the City of Jesolo Trophy in Italy.[1] However, Key's 2014 season was cut short by an elbow injury that required a minor surgical procedure, causing her to withdraw from the Secret U.S. Classic and ultimately the P&G Championships, where she had planned to defend her junior national title.[11] The injury impacted her ability to compete in the latter half of the year, forcing a focus on recovery under the guidance of her coaches at Texas Dreams.[12] Despite the setback, medical evaluations indicated a positive outlook for her future training and return to competition.[11]Senior elite career (2015–2016)
Key made her senior international debut at the 2015 City of Jesolo Trophy in Italy, where she helped the U.S. team secure the gold medal and earned the silver medal in the all-around with a score of 59.500, finishing behind Simone Biles.[13] In the event finals, she claimed silver on uneven bars with a 15.100, behind Kyla Ross's 15.250.[14] Later that year, Key competed at the 2015 Secret U.S. Classic in Chicago, placing fourth in the all-around with a 60.065, narrowly ahead of Aly Raisman.[15] She also tied for third on uneven bars and floor exercise.[1] At the 2015 P&G U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis, Key finished fourth in the all-around with a total of 118.350.[16] She tied for the bronze medal on uneven bars and floor exercise.[1] Key's 2016 season was derailed by a persistent back injury early on, leading to her withdrawal from the U.S. Classic and ultimately ending her elite-level competition for the year.[17] Despite extensive recovery efforts, including training modifications, she and her coaches at Texas Dreams Gymnastics decided to prioritize long-term health, effectively concluding her Olympic contention.[17]Transition to NCAA (2017)
In early 2017, Bailie Key solidified her path to collegiate gymnastics by preparing to join the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide team for the 2017-18 season, after initially committing to the University of Florida in 2014 and then switching her verbal commitment the previous year.[18][19] She had signed a national letter of intent in November 2016, marking a significant step in her shift from elite to NCAA competition.[20] This transition was influenced by her ongoing recovery from a back injury that had sidelined her for the entire 2016 season.[21] Key graduated from Lakeland Christian Academy in 2017, completing her high school education while managing academic preparations for her enrollment at Alabama in the fall.[6] Throughout the year, she participated in no elite-level competitions, prioritizing rehabilitation and conditioning to address lingering effects from her prior injury. At Texas Dreams Gymnastics, under coaches Kim Zmeskal-Burdette and Chris Burdette, Key adjusted her training regimen to align with NCAA rules, emphasizing routines optimized for college scoring systems rather than international elite standards. This included modifications to skills on beam and bars, where her elite background positioned her as a potential standout.[22] Media outlets highlighted Key's move as a major storyline for the upcoming NCAA season, portraying her as one of the most anticipated freshmen due to her junior elite pedigree and potential to contribute immediately on multiple events. Coverage in October 2017 emphasized her resilience amid setbacks and the excitement surrounding her debut with Alabama.[22]NCAA career (2018–2019)
Key enrolled at the University of Alabama in the fall of 2017 following her commitment to the Crimson Tide gymnastics program.[6] As a freshman in 2018, she made her collegiate debut on the balance beam during the season opener against Michigan on January 5, scoring a 8.475 after falling on her triple series, which prevented her from completing an acro element.[23] Her participation was limited to this single beam routine, as she managed ongoing health issues stemming from prior injuries that prevented full-season involvement.[6] Academically, Key excelled during her freshman year, earning recognition as a Scholastic All-American and a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll for maintaining a strong grade point average.[6] She also achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA in the fall semester, qualifying for the University of Alabama President's List.[6] In her sophomore year of 2019, Key did not compete at all, having undergone an unspecified medical procedure on December 18, 2018, related to previous injuries, which sidelined her for the entire season.[24] Despite her absence from competitions, she continued to perform well academically, carrying a 3.75 cumulative GPA into the year and earning a spot on the 2018-19 Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll.[25]Retirement and legacy
Retirement announcement
On June 7, 2019, Bailie Key announced her retirement from competitive gymnastics through an official statement released by the University of Alabama athletics department.[2] The decision came after a series of cumulative injuries that began with an elbow surgery in 2014, which forced her withdrawal from the P&G Championships, followed by a back injury in 2016 that sidelined her from Olympic contention, and culminated in a medical procedure—later identified as back surgery—performed on December 18, 2018, which caused her to miss the entire 2019 NCAA season.[12][19][24] These setbacks prevented her from safely continuing her athletic career, prompting the retirement to prioritize her long-term health.[2] In her personal statement, Key expressed deep gratitude to her coaches, teammates, and family for their support throughout her journey, stating, "After much reflection, I knew in my heart that it was time to bring my gymnastics career to a close... I am so grateful to my Bama coaches... I am blessed to have the opportunity to finish my nursing degree."[2] She highlighted the challenges of her injuries but emphasized her appreciation for the opportunities at Alabama, where she had competed as a freshman and sophomore.[2] The announcement immediately ended Key's NCAA eligibility, as she chose not to pursue further competition despite having remaining years available; instead, she remained on scholarship to complete her nursing degree at the University of Alabama, allowing her to transition fully into academics while staying connected to the gymnastics program.[2] This move ensured her continued involvement with the Crimson Tide community without the physical demands of the sport.[2]Post-retirement life
Following her retirement from competitive gymnastics in 2019 due to ongoing injuries, Bailie Key focused on completing her undergraduate education at the University of Alabama.[2] She majored in nursing and was recognized for her academic performance multiple times, including placements on the Dean's List for the Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Spring 2021, Fall 2020, and Spring 2022 semesters, as well as the President's List for Fall 2017 and Spring 2020.[26] In 2021, she also earned WCGA Scholastic All-America honors as a member of the Alabama gymnastics program.[27] Key graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama on August 30, 2022.[28] On October 2, 2025, Key announced her engagement.[29] Since then, she has maintained a low public profile, with no reported involvement in major athletic comebacks, coaching roles, or public advocacy efforts related to gymnastics as of November 2025. Born on March 16, 1999, Key is 26 years old and resides in Texas.[1]Achievements
Competitive history
Bailie Key's competitive career spanned junior elite, senior elite, and a brief NCAA stint, marked by several international and national successes before injuries led to withdrawals and early retirement.| Year | Competition | Results | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | American Classic | 5th AA; 8th VT; 8th UB; 1st FX | USA Gymnastics Bio |
| 2011 | CoverGirl Classic | 7th AA; 6th FX | USA Gymnastics Bio |
| 2011 | Visa Championships | 9th AA; 8th BB; 7th FX | USA Gymnastics Bio |
| 2012 | Secret U.S. Classic | 5th AA; 4th VT; 6th UB; 5th BB; 5th FX | USA Gymnastics Bio |
| 2012 | Visa Championships | 4th AA; 3rd (T) VT; 7th UB; 3rd (T) BB; 3rd (T) FX | USA Gymnastics Bio |
| 2012 | City of Jesolo Trophy | Team gold; 3rd (T) AA; 2nd VT; 6th UB; 2nd FX | USA Gymnastics Bio |
| 2013 | City of Jesolo Trophy | Team gold; 1st AA (58.100); 1st EF VT (14.750), BB, FX | USA Gymnastics Results [30] |
| 2013 | USA-Germany-Romania Tri-Meet | Team gold; 1st AA | USA Gymnastics Bio |
| 2013 | Secret U.S. Classic | 1st AA (58.250); 3rd (T) VT; 5th UB; 2nd BB; 5th (T) FX | USA Gymnastics Bio |
| 2013 | P&G Championships | 1st AA (118.550 total); 4th VT; 4th UB; 1st BB; 1st FX | USA Gymnastics Bio [8] |
| 2013 | International Junior Gymnastics Competition | 1st AA (58.400); 1st EF VT (15.100), UB, BB, FX | USA Gymnastics Results |
| 2013 | International Junior Mexican Cup | 1st AA; Team gold | USA Gymnastics Bio |
| 2014 | City of Jesolo Trophy | Team gold; 1st AA (58.250); 1st EF VT (14.934), UB, FX | USA Gymnastics Bio [31] |
| 2014 | Pacific Rim Championships | Team gold; 1st AA (59.250); 1st EF VT (14.975), FX; 2nd EF UB, BB | USA Gymnastics Bio |
| 2014 | Secret U.S. Classic | Withdrew due to minor arm procedure | FloGymnastics |
| 2014 | P&G Championships | Withdrew due to elbow injury recovery | FloGymnastics |
| 2015 | City of Jesolo Trophy | Team gold; 2nd AA (59.500); 2nd EF UB (15.100) | USA Gymnastics Results |
| 2015 | Secret U.S. Classic | 4th AA (59.450); 3rd UB; 5th (T) BB; 3rd (T) FX | USA Gymnastics Bio |
| 2015 | P&G Championships | 4th AA (118.350 total); 3rd UB; 3rd (T) FX | USA Gymnastics Bio [32] |
| 2018 | NCAA vs. Michigan (season opener) | BB: 8.475 (only competitive appearance) | College Gym News Alabama Athletics |