THE AVERAGE TIMELINE OF A NATIONAL TEAM MEMBER

Bailie Key was the youngest gymnast to turn elite - at merely 11 years old.

Slightly off topic from Worlds but still relevant – this post shows the data compiled on the ages every member of both the current Junior and Senior National teams started the sport and the various levels they were at when they were 8 and 11, and when they first transitioned to the elite level. The findings varied immensely, but were very interesting. Take a look!

AGE STARTED GYMNASTICS

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Alyssa Baumann - 3 years old
​ Simone Biles - 6 years old
Nia Dennis - 7 years old
Gabrielle Douglas - 6 years old
Brenna Dowell - 1 year old
Bailie Key - 3 years old
Madison Kocian - 6 years old
Maggie Nichols - 2 years old
Aly Raisman - 2 years old
Kyla Ross - 2 years old
MyKayla Skinner - 3 years old
​

Jordan Chiles - 6 years old
Christina Desiderio - 6 years old
Jazmyn Foberg - 4 years old
Laurie Hernandez - 5 years old
Sydney Johnson - 3 years old
Ragan Smith - 3 years old

Average Age: ​3.778 years
​

LEVEL BY THE AGE OF 8

Highest Possible Level: Level 9

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Alyssa Baumann - Level 5 (2006)
Simone Biles - data not available (2005)
Nia Dennis - Level 5 (2007)
Gabby Douglas - Level 4 (2004)
Brenna Dowell - data not available (2004)
Bailie Key - Level 6/7 (2007)
Madison Kocian - Level 5 (2005)
Maggie Nichols - Level 7 (2006)
Aly Raisman - Level 4 (2003)
Kyla Ross - Level 6 (2005)
MyKayla Skinner - Level 6 (2005)

Jordan Chiles - Level 5 (2009)
Christina Desiderio - Level 5 (2008)
Jazmyn Foberg - Level 5 (2008)
Laurie Hernandez - Level 4 (2008)
Sydney Johnson - Pre-Opt. (2008)
Ragan Smith - Pre-Opt. (2008)

Average Level: ​Level 5

LEVEL BY THE AGE OF 11

Highest Possible Level: Junior Elite

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Alyssa Baumann - Level 8 (2009)
Simone Biles - Level 9 (2008)
Nia Dennis - Level 9/HOPES Elite (2010)
Gabby Douglas - Level 9 (2007)
Brenna Dowell - Level 8 (2007)
Bailie Key - Level 10/Junior Elite (2010)
Madison Kocian - Level 8 (2008)
Maggie Nichols - Level 10 (2009)
Aly Raisman - Level 8/HOPES Elite (2005)
Kyla Ross - Level 10 (2008)
MyKayla Skinner - Level 8 (2008)

Jordan Chiles - Level 10 (2012)
Christina Desiderio - Level 9 (2011)
Jazmyn Foberg - Level 9 (2011)
Laurie Hernandez - Level 9 (2011)
Sydney Johnson - Level 8 (2011)
Ragan Smith - Level 9 (2011)

Average Level: Level 8

AGE AT FIRST YEAR OF ELITE

Highest Possible Age: 11 years old

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Alyssa Baumann​ - 12 (2010, from L9)
Simone Biles - 14 (2011, from L10)
Nia Dennis - 12 (2011, from L10/Hopes)
Gabby Douglas - 12 (2008, from L10)
​Brenna Dowell - 13 (2009, from L10)
Bailie Key - 11 (2010, from L10)
​Madison Kocian - 12 (2009, from L9)
Maggie Nichols - 13 (2011, from L10)
Aly Raisman - 15 (2009, from L10/Hopes)
Kyla Ross - 12 (2009, from L10)
MyKayla Skinner - 12 (2009, from L10)

Jordan Chiles - 12 (2013, from L10)
Christina Desiderio - 13 (2013, from L10)
Jazmyn Foberg - 13 (2013, from L10)
Laurie Hernandez - 12 (2012, from L10)
Sydney Johnson - 13 (2013, from L10)

Average Age: ​12.56 years

So you see, gymnasts can come from any age and level and make a splash on the National elite scene. However, if you have a daughter who has just turned 3 and you feel she is suitable for gymnastics, now is probably your best chance to enroll her in classes – IF you want her to go down the elite pathway! I hope this post has given you exposure, and you've taken away some cool new knowledge!

An article by Kaitlyn, the Editor-in-Chief.