This wasn’t the update Olivia Dunne or LSU fans wanted. After battling knee issues all season, the star gymnast took to Instagram on March 6 with tough news, which read, “Hi friends! Unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with an avulsion fracture of my patella and will not be able to compete on senior night.” The culprit? An avulsion fracture of her patella, an injury that pulls a piece of bone away from the kneecap. Dunne hasn’t competed since Jan. 24, and now, the clock is ticking. One month? Two? Could she make it back for the NCAAs? The uncertainty is brutal. And now, her coach has an update!

Olivia Dunne, who had the rare privilege of experiencing two Senior Nights at LSU, won’t be taking part this time. An unfortunate injury has sidelined her, keeping her from competing in the Tigers’ regular-season finale. Ahead of LSU’s matchup against Auburn on Friday, March 14, head coach Jay Clark provided an update on Dunne’s condition during a pre-match press conference. “It’s about her pain,” he explained. He further admitted the injury was unfamiliar territory for him, saying, “It’s an unusual injury—I had to look it up. I didn’t even know what the retinaculum in the knee was.” As for the retinaculum on the knee? It’s like a stabilizing strap that keeps the kneecap in place, and if it’s damaged, things get shaky, literally!

Olivia Dunne is no stranger to injuries and has previously missed much of the 2022–23 season, battling two torn labrums, a torn bicep, and a stress reaction in her leg. But this time, the injury is something entirely different. Discussing Dunne’s condition, Clark explained, “Generally speaking….the little avulsion fracture that she has… She and I were talking about it yesterday. That generally happens to people who have been in car accidents or some sort of blunt force trauma.” He continued, “…she can’t recall anything like that. It’s an extremely unusual situation she is dealing with, and it just hurts.”

Olivia Dunne last took the floor in late January when LSU faced No. 14 Arkansas. It wasn’t the Tigers’ night, as they fell short in the matchup. Dunne has been sidelined since then, missing six consecutive meets! “She can force herself to function with it, but it’s very painful, and trying to figure out how do we get her comfortable?” he said. Continuing further, he shared, “So we shut her down and immobilized it, trying to let it calm down. I think there’s been some progress.”

Not just passive hopes, the team is actively going above and beyond to put in efforts that can pave the way for senior Livvy’s return to the mats. Remaining hopeful, he noted, “I still remain cautiously optimistic that she can become available again, at least on bars. But it’s just hard to say…..We’ve got another follow-up this week, and trying to monitor it, turn over every rock we can to get her in a place where she feels comfortable…she started out the year in a really good spot for us,” the coach concluded.

Also, Clark isn’t letting seniors walk away without flowers!

LSU Head Coach backs seniors as their collegiate career nears end

The countdown is on. Olivia Dunne’s collegiate career is nearing its final chapter, but LSU head coach Jay Clark isn’t letting it be a somber farewell. Instead, he’s turning it into a celebration. “We shouldn’t eulogize our seniors, we should celebrate our seniors,” Clark emphasized in a press conference ahead of LSU’s Senior Night.

It’s a fitting message, especially for a group that has endured a grueling season with Haleigh Bryant, Olivia Dunne, and others battling through injuries just to get here. Clark’s hope? His seniors step onto the PMAC floor on Friday night, soaking in every moment. “…Let’s make it a celebration of all that they have already accomplished and are continuing to push forward to accomplish even more,” he said.

But for Dunne, that dream is slipping away. An injury has sidelined her, and her participation in Friday’s event is in serious doubt. Could she make a surprise appearance? Maybe. Could she at least be there to support her team? That’s the question fans are asking. But one thing is certain: whether she’s on the mat or in the stands, Dunne’s impact on LSU gymnastics has been undeniable. The farewell might not be what she envisioned, but her legacy is already sealed!