Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes are becoming the power couple of NCAA sports. But as both the athletes deeply care about their careers—with Dunne juggling her duties in the NCAA gymnastics season and Skenes focused on his baseball career after being the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft—taking out time for their long-distance relationship seems impossible. Long distance is tough enough, but adding on two hectic schedules, constant travel, and the public eye—now that’s a tough challenge to overcome. Will the pair succeed? 

Olivia Dunne isn’t just a star gymnast; she’s a pop culture icon. At LSU, Olivia Dunne stands out even among star athletes, with career-high scores of 9.900 on the floor. With nearly over 8 million followers on TikTok and 5 million on Instagram and a NIL valuation of $4.2 million last updated on 11th January 2025, Dunne has her plate full with training, posts on social media, brand endorsements, and appearances at major events like New Orleans’ Endymion Parade. 

To top it all off, the star athlete is focusing on her final season at LSU. The No. 3 LSU Tigers gymnastics team will host No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners in a highly anticipated matchup. Dunne participated in nine meets for the Tigers, specializing in bars and floor events in the 2024 season. Last season, she had an average of 9.857 on the floor and 9.838 on the bars. With such high stakes, can they balance it all, or will the love or sport take a hit? 

We have a hint. Sports’ influencer’s latest trouble is their clash of calendars. On February 15, Olivia Dunne posted a TikTok, with the humorous caption “Me laughing til I remember I’m doing long distance until my season is over.” The Pittsburgh Pirates ace, Paul Skenes, is rising in his career, winning titles and finding his place on the honor board for his performance last season. But Miss Lizzy isn’t there by his side as much as she would like.

But neither of the star athletes is a quitter! The sweetheart couple is trying to jump high over their hurdles. Leaving their fans surprised by the latest update, making the most out of a short break in their hectic calendar. Olivia Dunne updated her Instagram story with sunkissed pictures at the beach. One of them captioned “24 hours in” with the location, Siesta Keys, Florida, tagged. The next story featured the couple both smiling from ear to ear.

Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes’ story began in 2023, soon after the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Skenes. The two met at Louisiana State University (LSU) through mutual friends—old school, right? It gets cuter. Skenes’ best friend was dating Dunne’s roommate, Elena Marenas. 

But things aren’t as simple anymore, and both athletes have promising futures that demand effort. Paul Skenes is a baseball pitcher, currently playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was the first draft overall in the 2023 MLB Draft and debuted in May 2024. Skenes was named the National League Rookie of the Year and had an 11-3 record with a 1.96 ERA in his first year. Yet they remain the power couple for a reason. Dunne describes their dynamic as “yin and yang,” hinting at how they balance each other with their complementary personalities.

Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes share a special moment amid their hectic schedules

Even through it all, the star gymnast and Pirates’ Ace celebrated the couple’s day together on the occasion of Valentine’s. Many couples make their valentines flashy, but Dunne and her boyfriend kept them rather simple—and meaningful. The pair traded a dinner date for a unique experience at a pottery class. They spent their Friday creating something special together; Dunne shared the moment on her Instagram story. The couple can be seen sharing smiles and captioning it with three red heart emojis.

The boyfriend, Paul Skenes’ public display of affection also remained simple. Instead of grand gestures or elaborate surprises, he kept it short, sweet, and meaningful with a two-word message on Instagram: “My valentine @livvydunne.” with a picture of Dunne. Long declarations aren’t the trend anymore. Dunne’s and Skenes’ relationship shows that small, heartfelt gestures speak great volumes. The pair displays a grounded and genuine connection; that’s what makes the fans eager to see how their story will end!