Jay Clark Rains on Olivia Dunne and Co.’s Parade After LSU Seeded Rank 1 in the NCAA Championships

Days after Olivia Dunne and the LSU gymnastics squad soaked in the glory of their second straight SEC title, reality came knocking. “Purple reign 4ever,” Dunne posted on her Instagram. But the confetti hadn’t even settled before head coach Jay Clark flipped the script. Well, we know for the first time in program history that LSU enters the NCAA postseason as the No. 1 seed, earning its 40th consecutive regional berth. Their journey continues at the Penn State Regional on Thursday, April 3, and while the hype is real, Clark’s already sounding the alarm.

“It’s great for our program to get that No. 1 seed, but we haven’t arrived yet,” Jay Clark warned. “Every draw at this time of the year is going to be tough, and regionals is probably the hardest part of our postseason format since we changed to the two-day format.” So, he wants to make clear that LSU might be on top, but the road to the championship is still a minefield. But why?

The Penn State Regional is no cakewalk, either. Alongside LSU, the bracket is stacked with tough contenders like Michigan State, Kentucky, and Arkansas. Adding to the mix, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Maryland, and West Virginia are all ready to pounce if LSU slips. One-off routine and the Tigers could be watching the NCAA Championships from home. Clark knows this better than anyone, which is why he’s making sure his squad stays locked in. The No. 1 seed might turn heads, but with a packed regional like this, there’s no room for error.

This isn’t just another postseason for LSU — it’s a shot at history. The Tigers are making their 42nd overall appearance in the postseason, with 31 trips to the NCAA Championships and 14 regional titles already in the bag. But this year, with the elusive top seed in hand, the expectations are sky-high. The pressure’s not just on Dunne and her high-profile presence — the entire squad is carrying the weight of being the team to beat. And with all nine SEC teams earning National Seeds for the 2025 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships, the competition isn’t letting up anytime soon.

Jay Clark’s message is clear: the No. 1 seed doesn’t mean a thing if they don’t stay focused. “This is the first round of the championship in our minds, so we just have to stick to our process,” he said, keeping his team grounded. “If we can stay in the mindset of enjoying the process, we’ll be in a good spot. The pursuit of our goals is the most important part.” So while Dunne and her teammates can take pride in their SEC dominance, Clark’s keeping their eyes on the ultimate prize.

Here’s the twist — right before the SEC Championships, Clark threw everyone off by naming the best team… and it wasn’t LSU! So, who is the best team for Jay Clark?

Jay Clark drops a bombshell with his surprise pick

LSU gymnastics proved once again they’re the queens of the SEC when they owned the competition! And guess the score? 198.200 left No. 1 Oklahoma (197.925) and Florida (197.825) trailing behind. The scenario heated up when Jay Clark surprised everyone by not selecting LSU as the best team during the SEC Championships. During an interview, when Clark was asked his choice of the best team. He had a different name in mind.

He praised Oklahoma’s performance by stating, “Oklahoma should be No. 1. They’ve been the most consistent team from start to finish.” LSU’s improvement received acknowledgment from him, who admitted they were “increasingly more and more consistent.” Nonetheless, he maintained Oklahoma as the superior team. Whether Clark was trying to motivate his squad or just being brutally honest, his words clearly lit a fire under the Tigers. When LSU hit the mat, they didn’t just respond — they dominated.

Haleigh Bryant, Aleah Finnegan, and Kailin Chio led the charge, serving up routines that had the crowd roaring. But this wasn’t just about individual brilliance; LSU’s collective effort was off the charts. The Tigers posted 49.600 on bars, 49.450 on beam, and 49.625 on the floor, making history with their highest-ever scores in the SEC competition. Even though Livvy Dunne was cheering from the sidelines due to injury, LSU made one thing loud and clear — the purple reign isn’t ending anytime soon!