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Olivia Dunne, the standout gymnast from LSU, shines brightly on the mat. She has emerged as one of the most financially successful Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) athletes in collegiate sports, commanding a staggering $3.3 million valuation. However, the sports world was met with news of her impending departure. After a string of individual and team victories spanning four years, Dunne made the poignant announcement that this season would mark her final chapter in college sports, signaling her retirement from competitive gymnastics. But before that, she gave one more flawless performance.

Olivia Dunne unforgettably marked her LSU senior night this Friday, dazzling the Maravich Center crowd with her flawless beam routine. As her team faced off against North Carolina, she delivered a stunning performance, earning a remarkable score of 9.975 on the beam. One judge even awarded her a perfect 10, ensuring Dunne’s farewell performance was nothing short of spectacular. However, it appears LSU has now carved out a new chapter in its storied history.

LSU Gymnastics smashes records

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Recently, the LSU Gymnastics team shared a post on X, questioning, “Why wouldn’t you want to compete in the PMAC?” This inquiry comes on the heels of LSU’s remarkable achievement in attracting over 75,000 Tiger fans throughout the season, culminating in them securing the top spot for attendance. In a historic feat, the LSU Gymnastics team achieved its highest-ever average attendance record. However, last year wasn’t this good

 

In 2023, LSU’s gymnastics regular season drew over 60,000 fans across five home meets. Notably, each home competition in 2023 attracted top-20 crowds in PMAC history. Key matchups against formidable opponents, such as the top-ranked Sooners and No. 2 Florida, drew substantial crowds, with attendance peaking at 12,450 during the regular season finale against West Virginia.  The season commenced with a record-breaking sale of over 7,400 season tickets, indicative of the enduring enthusiasm surrounding LSU gymnastics but not more than this year. However, now that Dunne is retiring will it gain more attendance records next year as well?

Is this really Olivia Dunne’s last year in college sports?

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Months ago, Olivia Dunne made a definitive statement: this would be her final year in collegiate sports. After a remarkable four-year journey marked by both individual accolades and team victories, the LSU Tigers’ standout gymnast had made the difficult decision to retire from competition. However, as the culmination of her collegiate career draws near, uncertainty clouds her once resolute decision.

The most telling sign arrived in February when Dunne shared a poignant video on her TikTok account and captioned, “When the sport I’ve dedicated 18 years to comes to an end in less than 2 months.” The video sent shockwaves through her fan base, signaling the imminent conclusion of a remarkable chapter in her life. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, a glimmer of hope remains, hinting that the NCAA gymnastics arena might still witness Dunne’s extraordinary talents for one more year.

Read More: Is Olivia Dunne Richer Than Caitlin Clark? Comparing NIL Deals, Brand Endorsements, and More

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