Three discrete entities are connected by a single string. Yet all three are experiencing different outcomes. How so? Take Olivia Dunne and the LSU Tigers gymnastics at first. On February 14, the defending national gymnastics champion stepped in Baton Rouge to take on No. 1 Oklahoma in a gymnastics battle. The match was advertised as the real finale before the actual championship, as it featured two of the country’s leading teams. However, the Tigers kept the honor unharmed and handed the guests a thrashing defeat. The future looks bright, no? Now get back to Olivia’s story. 

It was the third time in a row this season that Livvy missed her berth in the Tigers’ final lineup. She joined the squad on the sidelines and everywhere except in the actual match. Does she have an injury that’s keeping her away from the mat? No one knows. Yet she is missing match after match in the final year of her college gymnastics career. Her agony doesn’t have any sign of ending, though. She has herself confessed to that. Want to know how?

Now enter the third character, Paul Skenes. The pitcher is winning titles and finding his place on the honor board for his fireworks made last season. And Olivia Dunne is not there by his side. Her engagement with college gymnastics is keeping everything unsettled. On February 15, Livvy shared a clip on TikTok, showing her mixed emotions about that. The headline in the clip reads, “Me laughing til I remember I’m doing long distance until my season is over.” Her trouble, however, has very little chance of ending shortly. The reason? The clash of calendars!

Reports indicate that Paul has already entered the spring training program under the attentive supervision of the coaching staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. This week, he arrived in Bradenton, Florida, to sign up for it. Notably. The historic LECOM Park hosted the first session and Skenes was there. However, in the following days, the entire group of catchers and pitchers listed in the program is expected to join Skenes for the training sessions. Such pro-activeness might not feel off the book as the camp is set to commence its first spring training game on February 22. Next, there will be more such games coming in. So, there is indeed a busy schedule ahead! And what about Livvy? Will she also struggle to find free time?

In the next few weeks, LSU Gymnastics will participate in the Podium Challenge. In Challenge, the program will lock horns with three different opponents: George Washington, Georgia, and Auburn. The anticipation in those matches might reach a different height in the presence of names like Cecile Landi and Jade Carey in the rival camps. Hold on! Existing from the Podium Challenge, the Tigers will land in the SEC Championships on March 22. The contest will be the beginning of the actual run to defend the national crown. 

Aren’t those enough to keep the lovebirds away from each other? Olivia Dunne thinks yes. However, there’s no obvious chance for her to find a place in the regular lineup. However, she will probably struggle to find any spare time to see Paul Skenes or go to his games in the park. Tough days ahead, right? Yes. Nonetheless, the couple spent quality time on the day of love and threw a few couple goals.

Olivia Dunne builds shapes and hopes with Paul Skenes 

Chocolates, teddy bears, and red roses—another three elements, joined by a single string, the unwavering love. And the best day to show the signs of love in the month of love? February 14. Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes surely know the customs of the date. Yet they decided to go off-route on the day. They, in fact, didn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day this year with the three elements mentioned above. Then how did they celebrate? 

On the love-making day, Livvy Dunne shared pictures with Skenes as they appeared to be enjoying a pottery session together. The elated gymnast assisted Skenes with his creation and captioned the post by tagging him and adding three heart emojis. In return, Skenes posted a picture of Dunne kissing the national championship trophy she earned with LSU gymnastics last season. He also captioned the photo by tagging her, adding a red heart emoji, and referring to her as ‘My valentine.’ A heartwarming episode in their story!  Let’s hope to see such episodes again and again in their story.