LSU Gymnastics didn’t just chase victory this season—they owned the spotlight. With electrifying performances and nail-biting matchups, they pushed through every challenge, proving they’re built for the big stage. But just as the Tigers roared to an SEC Championship win, Olivia Dunne made a revelation that caught everyone off guard. Injured yet deeply involved, Dunne’s role in the team’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. What did she have to say?

LSU Gymnastics didn’t just win the SEC Championship—they turned it into a full-blown celebration. The Tigers didn’t just win, they created history with a 198.200, the best-ever LSU score in the SEC championships. Despite being sidelined with a fractured kneecap, Olivia Dunne was all in on the moment. “I wish I could be out there competing. I have a fractured kneecap right now, so I’m on the sidelines cheering, but it’s just been such an amazing time this past year,” all-round Dunne shared while talking to ‘LSU Tiger TV‘ after LSU won the SEC championship. A win so iconic, that it is sure to go down in LSU history!

What happens when a gymnastics team storms into the SEC Championship and delivers a record-breaking performance? Pure, unfiltered chaos—the kind that turns a hard-fought victory into an unforgettable celebration. On March 22, 2025, at the Legacy Arena, the No. 2 LSU put on a spectacle. The team’s impressive roster delivered one breathtaking routine after another, Aleah Finnegan and Kailin Chio scored 9.950 on the bars, and thanks to the team’s collective effort, it secured LSU’s best-ever SEC beam score of 49.450. The tigers also scored 49.625 in the floor routine, the team’s second-best floor score at the SEC championships. With the nation’s top teams—No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 3 Florida, and No. 4 Missouri—stacked against them, LSU rose to the occasion, making a bold statement in the most electrifying way possible. But amid every celebration, there is a Olivia Dunne’s injury scare that has bothered the team and fans alike, and for good reason.

The NCAA finals are just around the corner, and Dunne’s absence raises a huge question—will she recover in time to make one last appearance? “Oh my goodness, yes! I feel like we’re just so ready, and the season has been such a gift,” she said, hopeful but aware that time is running out.

Her Instagram stories captured the energy, starting with a reshared LSU post captioned “Purple Reign 4ever.” Then came a shot with her teammates, followed by a bold “SEC Champs BABY.” As confetti filled the air, Dunne couldn’t hold back her pride. “This team is so talented. It’s so amazing,” she said, watching them dominate on the big stage. The trophy had its moment, too, before Dunne wrapped it all up with a final story of the team singing, captioned “Tigz too lit.” Even from the sidelines, she made one thing clear—this win was everything.

LSU proved their dominance on the gymnastics mat but without Olivia Dunne

LSU gymnastics has been on fire, proving their mettle against the toughest competition. But this season, they’ve done it all without one of their biggest stars actually competing. Last year, Olivia Dunne was part of the SEC Championship lineup, contributing on bars and celebrating LSU’s dominance. During the 2024 SEC Championship, Dunne competed on bars; she contributed a solid 9.800 score, helping the Tigers secure the title with a team score of 198.075. ​

But fast forward to 2025, and instead of competing, she’s been cheering from the sidelines—still very much a part of the team but not in the way she hoped. Her final season was supposed to be her moment, but a brutal injury has changed everything. And with the NCAA finals just around the corner, the timing couldn’t be worse. “Yes, I think we always had it in us. It just all came together at the perfect time, and we’re peaking at the right time in the season. It’s just been such a blessing,” Dunne said, reflecting on LSU’s dominant performances. But for her, this peak is bittersweet.

This isn’t the first time the 22-year-old has been forced to sit out. Even last year, injuries kept her from competing consistently, making this déjà vu in the most frustrating way. Watching from the sidelines again, especially in her senior season, is a tough pill to swallow. Now, as LSU eyes the NCAA championship, the big question remains—will Dunne be ready?