When will LSU gymnastics’ ill fate end? Well, the Tigers fans have been playing the patience card to see their full roster in action, but it’s been one setback after another. First, the series of gymnast injuries. And then, an unanticipated blow struck: the defending champs slipped to No. 3 in Week 7. Also, let’s address the elephant in the room. It’s been three meets, and Olivia Dunne still hasn’t competed. So, where is she? Don’t stress: we have the latest update!

Well, the suspense is now over as there’s a new update on the LSU star, Olivia Dunne’s absence. We last saw Livvy compete in the LSU meet against Arkansas. She competed on the floor but despite a decent 9.7 outing, the Tigers narrowly fell to the Razorbacks. Ever since, LSU have faced ranked opponents- Missouri, Alabama, and Number # 1, Oklahoma. Yet Livvy’s unexplained absence was making waves in the NCAA as no injury had been cited. But not any longer. We now know Dunne has also come under the infamous LSU gymnastics’ injury curse this season.

The Advocate, on February 17, reported the reason behind Olivia Dunne’s substantial gap on the mat. Turns out, unfortunately, it is an injury. Yes. The LSU Head Coach Jay Clark has said that Livvy’s knee is to be blamed for her absence. How, what, when…we are yet to get those details. But all Clark has unveiled is,”Liv’s knee is still an issue. It isn’t a stress fracture, but it is a stress reaction on her kneecap,” he said.

In fact, Jay Clark also unveiled the timeline by which Livvy shall be back. The coach said there cannot be a solid treatment for this kind of injury because “The only answer for that is rest.” Thus, it looks like it’s going to be a while before she returns. Unfortunately, we still don’t know what caused Olivia Dunne to suffer this fate. But we know that she hasn’t gone overboard with her involvement this year. So far, she has only competed 7 times, 4 floor appearances, 2 on the beam, and one on the bars. Yes, no vault for Livvy this year! Still, she managed to get a stress fracture that’s keeping her away from the mats.

But interestingly, Olivia Dunne’s injury didn’t keep her from celebrating a special occasion with her boyfriend Paul Skenes. Yes, the duo was spotted attending a pottery class together on Valentine’s Day. Also, recently, the couple enjoyed a short (24 hours) but beautiful tropical getaway to Siesta Key, Florida. Looks like they are making the most of their time together before Skenes’ MLB pre-season starts.

However, this is reassuring for Livvy’s fans. The fact that she is able to travel and is rather active beyond the mats hints that her injury might not be all too serious, Thus, there is a possibility she bounces back soon. But what about the rest of the LSU gymnastics squad? As of February 17 2025, here are all the injury updates you need to have.

Top Comment by Realist

In my opinion ~ Again, Dunnes Injury has nothing to do with LSU dropping to 3rd, Frankly to me it’s...more

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After Olivia Dunne, here’s where other LSU stars are with their injuries

Chase Brook. Just 2 days back, right before Olivia Dunne’s injury announcement, the last LSU gymnast to retire hurt was Chase Brook. In the meet against Oklahoma, Brook injured herself on the floor and had to be carried off the floor. Later, she was seen walking with crutches and a boot, thanks to her Achilles injury. But the final verdict as per Jay Clark is, “Yeah, she’s done. She will be out indefinitely.”

Haleigh Bryant. This LSU super senior ended up tearing her UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) during the Gymnastics 101 LSU exhibition, December 2024. Ever since she has been coming but slowly but surely. The latest meet against Oklahoma featured her competing in 3 events, the vault, the floor, and the beam. Although she is not ready for the bars yet, due to the stress it puts on her arms.

KJ Johnson. Johnson did open the season in the meet against Iowa. But after suffering from an ankle sprain, she disappeared from the mats. But we saw her make a gradual comeback. Against Missouri, she scored 9.9000 on the vault, and aginst Crimson Tide, she snagged another 9.825. Hopefully, she will be a frequent sight on the mats going forward.

Kaliya Lincoln. Lincoln tweaked her foot during the U.S Championships in 2024, one that has been troubling her to date. Recently, on February 15, LSU coach Jay Clark said, “We are kind of holding her together with duct tape right now because you know she is, her knee bothers her so much, you know its going to be repaired after the season’s over.” While she has been performing, her health is quite fragile as clear from Clark’s words.

Thus, a lot has been happening in the LSU tent, And now with Olivia Dunne’s injury, the fans are struck with another setback. Do you think she’ll be able to make a comeback soon? Share your thoughts below!