In addition to stars after stars and more, LSU keeps on hitting the target, as LSU Gymnastics flourishes and solidifies its level, being the source of power that it is when it comes to collegiate sports. LSU Tigers adds to its legacy after signing three five-star recruits: Nina Ballou, Haley Mustari, and Elyse Wenner; for the 2025 season, including aristocrat gymnast and Olympic gold medalist- Hezly Rivera, the best 2024 season recruit. Rivera’s commitment has sky-rocketed the program’s strong recruiting class, establishing their rank at an astonishing place – 3rd best in the nation!

The long well-known history of excellence at LSU gymnastics has always been a destination for top-tier talent. The addition of Rivera and three other highly-rated recruits has accelerated the program’s repo and pre-set the stage for continued dominance. LSU’ also has a powerhouse influencer-athlete: Olivia Dunne, incredibly famous, with over 5 million followers, contributed to the program’s recent recruiting success greatly. 

Scraping off the secret behind LSU’s recruiting success

Hezly Rivera’s commitment to LSU adds a special touch to the program. She’s also one of the nation’s best recruits, having an outshining career in elite gymnastics throughout. She earned a spot in the U.S. National Team, bagged multiple titles, and secured a gold medal in the 2022 US National Championships (the all-around). Hezly Rivera’s performance in events like the vault, uneven bars, floor exercise, and more have turned her into the top-ranked gymnast in the whole wide world. “Joining LSU is a dream come true,” Rivera said. “The team’s tradition of success and Coach Clark’s leadership made it the perfect place to continue my growth as an athlete.”  

As an essential member of the team, Olivia Dunne, has earned multiple All-American honors and touched mind-blowing scores, including 9.975- her career high on the floor exercise. “Olivia has set the bar incredibly high for us, both in terms of her performance and her leadership,” said Coach Jay Clark. “Her influence has been a huge part of our recruiting efforts.”  

The lingering challenge of the NCAA transfer portal has restructured collegiate sports. It allows smooth transfer of student-athletes, making them visible to other teams cutting down the hassle for athletes, but at the same time making it very challenging for teams to recruit. LSU has shown remarkable resilience. “The transfer portal has been a challenge for everyone, but it hasn’t stopped us from continuing to recruit at the highest level,” Coach Clark noted. “Our focus remains on developing top-tier athletes who want to be part of a winning tradition.”  

Take a peek at what’s coming next

Looking ahead, the LSU Tigers are well-positioned for carrying success. The unification of Hezly Rivera, Livvy and her fellow recruits is bound to enhance the team’s immediate and future prospects. It creates a strong foundation for LSU in years to come. Head Coach Jay Clark is proud of the recruits, he states “This class brings a mix of talent and work ethic that will keep us competitive at the highest level.”  

With the current stars already enrolled in the program, the newly made Tigers will have ample opportunity to learn and compete alongside well-versed stars. “The team is like a family, and having experienced gymnasts like Olivia really helps us feel confident and supported,” said Rivera. As for Dunne, her roles- as a top gymnast and a role model push the team to great heights, ensuring a place that encourages both growth and success. Moving forward to compete for championships in the seasons to come: this is essential.

Hezly Rivera, alongside other newly five-star recruits, will drive LSU Tigers to excellence. LSU’s ability to be a top contender in NCAA gymnastics remains. As Livvy paves the way as a team leader and public figure, LSU has become the top destination for elite gymnasts. With such a strong dynamic, LSU will surely continue to overcome challenges and recruit the best talents. It has ensured its place among the nation’s best, with a bright future ahead for continued success on and off the mat, and the gems are going to maintain it, taking it to heights.