Remember when Olivia Dunne told the world that she wasn’t sure if she’d return to LSU again? Little did we know that things would change shortly after! After all, how could LSU’s gymnastics queen be ‘Dunne’ just yet? The gymnast announced in July that she would be returning for a fifth year. Consider the internet broken. We didn’t know if that was the plan, but life seldom works that way. The 22-year-old hoped to turn her final collegiate year into a grand celebration. 

However, it was never meant to be that way. In her much-anticipated announcement, the gymnast reiterated that it’s magical to don the purple and gold and compete in front of 13,000 screaming Tigers fans. Even though she would receive many opportunities, the gymnast confessed that “there’s something about LSU.” She initially stated that she had more to give to the sport, both on and off the competition floor. Her coach wasn’t expecting it either. What did he say?

Olivia Dunne surprised her LSU coach, Jay Clark

Jay Clark is now entering his 14th season with the program and his 5th season as the LSU Lady Tigers head coach. He recently appeared on a recent episode of the All Things Gymnastics Podcast. The hosts, Ashley and Brittany, asked the coach if he knew if Olivia Dunne was making her much-anticipated return. “She was one that a lot of people, I think, kind of assumed was going to be done. But then she has all these opportunities, so when did she decide? That one was a bit of a surprise.” 

Like everyone, he assumed she was ready to hang her leotard up for good since managing all her commitments would be difficult. Clark wasn’t too sure if she would return to the mat, and he believed she wasn’t too sure of that either. But halfway through the 2023 season, a candid conversation between the duo shook things up. The head coach recalls how he applauded how she did great by returning to the sport.

During their chat, he jokingly talked about having her return for another year. What was Olivia Dunne’s response? “And she kind of looked at me with this sly little grin, like, you know, maybe she started to consider it because she really enjoyed last year.” However, he had one very pertinent reason for his wishful thinking. Clark didn’t hold back, calling the 22-year-old the ultimate utility player for the squad—a gymnastics version of the NBA’s Sixth Man. You know, the kind of star who doesn’t start but is the first to jump off the bench and make magic happen.

He wasn’t done hyping her up, either. The LSU gymnastics queen, according to him, has been the steady hand keeping the team at a near-perfect “9.9 level” for the past two years. Maybe that’s why she decided to stick around—why leave when you’re basically the secret weapon everyone counts on? However, while the 22-year-old enjoyed winning, one of the many reasons she returned was because of a multi-million dollar NIL deal with Passes. Why, you ask?

Olivia Dunne gets to enjoy a fifth year at LSU due to COVID-19, meaning she gets to reap the benefits of NIL as a college athlete. On the other hand, this wasn’t the only reason she wanted to return. Her stress injuries kept her off the mat more than once. If it hadn’t healed by February 2024, the gymnast would have missed out on her NCAA dreams. She wanted to perform after her body had entirely healed. This is why, the 2024 season would be her last on the mat. But what kept her away?

The 22-year-old’s last season on the mat might be in danger

Even though the LSU gymnastics queen is prepared to make a triumphant comeback to the mat, her final lap is riddled with several roadblocks. The LSU Tigers clinched their first-ever national title in program history last NCAA season. Livvy Dunne played a pivotal role in the victory alongside Haleigh Bryant, Aleah Finnegan, and Savannah Schoener. The 22-year-old wanted to defend that title in her final year at Baton Rouge. But something seems to be holding her back.

On November 25, she shared her current condition with her fans. Olivia Dunne wanted to leave college as the NCAA champ. However, in a twisted turn of fate, a shin injury seemed to have disrupted her efforts. She captioned the TikTok, “The devil couldn’t reach me.” However, this could potentially halt her functionality in the sport. How gruesome is the injury, you ask?

The 22-year-old can’t put excessive stress on her shin bones because if she did, shin splits could occur. Her intense or prolonged training could have possibly led to this injury. The gymnast’s facial expressions showcased how much of a toll this took on her. Yet, she continued fighting against the pain and took it on her chin.

But Olivia Dunne doesn’t have to do it alone. Her MLB boyfriend, Paul Skenes, is at her beck and call whenever she needs him. He was even present at her practice session. The Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher was likely present when she suffered from the injury, and he possibly ensured that she would be well looked after. Despite all her troubles, Livvy will be riding out her final year at LSU like the champion that she is.