The last time Alabama’s senior gymnasts stood on the floor of the BJCC Arena in Birmingham, they were crowned the Southeastern Conference champions. That was back in 2011.

Their names are familiar to fans now, but even at the time then-freshmen Kim Jacob, Sarah DeMeo and Diandra Milliner were vital to the team’s success.

Now tumbling headlong to the end of their careers, those seniors will be hoping history repeats itself when the team returns to the BJCC Arena this weekend for the 2014 SEC Championships. This year, the roles of freshman phenoms have been played by Amanda Jetter, Aja Sims and especially Katie Bailey, who posted a 39.4 all-around last weekend against Auburn.

(See also “Clark earns perfect score, Alabama downs Auburn on Senior Night“)

Alabama coach Sarah Patterson said Bailey has reminded her of a young Milliner.

“We wanted her because of her skill level and because of her mental toughness capacity, and the fact that she loves to compete,” Patterson said. “The one thing you can say to Katie is ‘If you don’t do this, this will impact your ability to compete,’ and [Bailey] will make the change. That’s just the way she is, and that’s why we recruited her. It’s the same reason why… we recruited [Milliner]. She doesn’t necessarily have the elite lines of some of the world champions and Olympians, but I’d take [Milliner]’s competitive spirit just like I would [Bailey’s].”

(See also “Milliner vital leader for Alabama gymnastics team“)

Milliner extends that comparison to Alabama’s all-around anchor, Jacob.

“I think it’s awesome that a freshman could come in and challenge upperclassmen for spots in the lineup,” Milliner said. “That shows that we’re doing our job and allowing the coaches to recruit some of the best talent in the country. She definitely reminds me a lot of [Jacob], coming in and competing in three or four events almost every meet. We’ve heard a lot about her being a mix of me and [Jacob], because she does do all-around, and that’s more like Jacob. She is very competitive, and that’s a great quality to have, especially in a collegiate team.”

Junior Kaitlyn Clark said Bailey’s ability to compete so early in her college career is commendable.

“It’s definitely a really hard transition, so when a freshman comes in and can compete all-around for us and do it so well, it’s definitely impressive,” Clark said. “She just works so hard every day, and she definitely deserves it.”

Bailey owes some of the ease of that transition to Clark, Milliner and the other upperclassmen on the squad.

“I think all of the upperclassmen, not just the seniors, have encouraged all of the freshman and lowerclassmen to do what they need to do,” Bailey said. “They’re always there for advice. … They always speak from experience. They don’t try to tell you and yell at you. They say, ‘Look, I’ve been there, I know what you’re going through. I’ve been there and this is what I do to help it.’”

When the 2011 team won the conference championship, it kicked off a run that would produce back-to-back national championships. This year’s team will be looking to replicate that kind of success starting this Saturday.

“I think this team has been working really hard and I think I’ve done the job for my team,” Bailey said. “I think I’ve done what they wanted me to do, and we have a bright future ahead of us.”

(See also “Gymnastics team continues perfect scores“)