When it comes to collegiate gymnastics, Olivia Dunne is currently the biggest star in the country. In fact, she even made history with the LSU Tigers by winning the NCAA Championship trophy for the first time in LSU history. In the 2024 season, the 22-year-old appeared in nine meets in the bars and floor exercises. The gymnast even recorded a career-high of 9.900 on the floor at the NCAA Fayetteville and the Podium Challenge. 

However, her popularity doesn’t just last on the mat. Livvy’s social media presence boasts 20 million followers on Instagram, and TikTok has gained her incredible NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) success. But for a short while, many fans weren’t too sure if they would see her on the mat again. That is until she surprised the world by announcing her return to LSU for her fifth year. On the other hand, the gymnast left fans stunned with her incredible progress on the mat. What went down?

Olivia Dunne shows off insane skill set

LSU’s gymnastics queen averages a 9.857 on the floor and 9.838 on bars this year. But her recent feat on the mat at the Baton Rouge campus has fans ecstatic. On December 10, Olivia Dunne posted a wholesome video to TikTok set to Wicked’s soundtrack, Defying Gravity. She even captioned it, “Just had to let me cook.” What was the video about? The 22-year-old showcases her wobbly double layout as a freshman at LSU. However, it then shifts to her performing the same skill in her fifth year as a senior. 

The change is remarkable, and it only shows that Livvy will only continue to get better. She wasn’t here to cheer her teammates on. The NCAA’s highest-earning female athlete is here to prove her mettle on the mat. In the first version, she attempts the move and lands on her knees, looking dejected. However, in the second version, she gains incredible height during the leap, and her dismount is impeccable. Talk about growth.

But despite her working hard on her routines, it isn’t enough to keep all the criticism Olivia Dunne faces at bay. After bagging their first-ever NCAA championship title, a picture of the gymnast kissing the NCAA trophy made waves on the internet. Although it wasn’t for the reasons you might be thinking of. Numerous fans pointed out that she was just an extra at the finals and nothing more. Many even gave her the tag of a “benchwarmer.” On the other hand, her recent prowess on the mat has earned enough praise from fans. What did they have to say? 

The gymnastics community is dazzled by the LSU queen

As soon as the 22-year-old shared her heartwarming video on TikTok, fans couldn’t help but give the gymnast her flowers. One fan exclaimed, “That is literally insanely impressive keep slaying girl.” It’s not out of the ordinary to watch Livvy nail her routines, but this fan was proud nonetheless. Another fan agreed, “Ate I’m afraid🙈💗.” The gymnast has already showcased her skills on the floor, but she is more eager than ever to do it in her fifth year. A fan couldn’t help but cheer, “Omg this is absolutely incredible!!👏🏼🔥” We don’t blame the fans for feeling this way. 

But why is this exciting? For those not in the know, Olivia Dunne was dealing with a minor bump on her road to glory. On November 25, she let fans know that a shin injury disrupted her efforts on TikTok. The 22-year-old even reiterated that the devil couldn’t reach her in the caption. This could have halted her functionality in the sport. How, you ask? If the gymnast put excessive stress on her shin bones, it would result in shin splints. Yet, she looked as healthy as ever in her recent TikTok.

One fan stated, “You deserve to be so proud of yourself and all you’ve accomplished!!” From the wobbly routine to being flawless, the gymnast truly has come a long way. Another fan agreed, “Hell yeah! Love to see the power and confidence behind that pass  now.” The student-athlete continued to up her game throughout the years, and it shows. A fan was as excited as ever, “Go girl! So excited watch you guys this year!” Fans can’t wait to watch the 22-year-old in her fifth and final year at LSU. 

Earlier this year, Olivia Dunne surprised fans by announcing that she wasn’t done with collegiate gymnastics. Her coach, Jay Clark, didn’t see it coming either. After a terrible season last year, he thought she would hang her leotard for good. But this only helped renew the 22-year-old’s love for the sport. It was this attitude that helped bring home their first-ever national championship. She even earned the program’s first annual “Coaches Award,” deeming her as the ultimate team player and gymnast ready to go in and compete at any moment. What do you think about her progress throughout the years? Do you agree with the fans?