NCAA Gymnastics Championship: Olivia Dunne, Haleigh Bryant, and Others To Look Out for in Semi-Final 1

Will Olivia Dunne‘s LSU win its first national title? Or will it be Oklahoma claiming a third national title, or perhaps a California team emerging victorious? Let’s not overlook the potential of traditional powerhouses like Utah and Florida, who might just synchronize everything perfectly. Kicking off today, the 18th of April, eight teams will engage in an intense battle at the NCAA gymnastics championships in Fort Worth, Texas. It’s poised to be an electrifying competition, with outcomes hanging in the balance. Who will emerge victorious?

Yet, all eyes will undoubtedly be fixed on LSU’s social media sensation, Olivia Dunne, following her outstanding performances alongside her teammates this season. It’s shaping up to be a whirlwind competition, with outcomes far from certain. Who will emerge victorious? Let’s delve deeper into the NCAA’s top performers.

Haleigh Bryant

Haleigh Bryant has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the sport. Notably, she etched her name in the record books as the first LSU gymnast to accomplish both a gym slam and a season slam in a single year, with eight perfect scores this season and a total of 18 in her career, a feat unmatched by any other gymnast in LSU history and ranking among the top 10 in NCAA history.

As the top-ranked all-arounder for 10 out of 12 weeks during the regular season, Bryant’s stellar performances culminated in an NQS of 39.810, securing her the highest all-around score in both the nation and LSU’s storied history. Moreover, her remarkable versatility is highlighted by her top rankings on various apparatuses, further solidifying her status as a gymnastics phenom. Recognized as the SEC Gymnast of the Week six times in 2024, she showed of leadership and sportsmanship.

Olivia Dunne

21-year-old Olivia Dunne, a prominent figure in the world of gymnastics and a rising star in the realm of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) endorsements, a few weeks back showcased her exceptional talent during the Podium Challenge. With a stellar performance on the floor routine, Dunne secured an impressive score of 9.900, matching her previous career high achieved in 2022 against Alabama.

Dunne’s remarkable achievement contributed to a night of triumph for the LSU squad, as they not only marked their highest program NQS with a record-breaking score of 198.125 but also set a new program floor NQS of 49.695, the highest in LSU and NCAA history.

Mya Lauzon

In her sophomore year, Mya Lauzon, representing Cal women’s gymnastics team, truly came into her own, showcasing remarkable talent with an impressive tally of 27 top-three finishes and 15 event victories. Recognized as an NCAA All-American and earning accolades from WCGA and the Pac-12, Lauzon’s breakout season was highlighted by groundbreaking achievements. Notably, she made history as the first Bear to clinch the Pac-12 beam title and achieved another milestone by recording a perfect 10 on beam.

This year, Lauzon continued her stellar trajectory, leading the charge in the regional final as Cal’s first-ever regional all-around winner and securing the team’s inaugural postseason perfect 10 with a flawless vault. The Bears’ success was further underscored by a stellar floor routine performance, with all six team members delivering scores of 9.8 or better.

Chloe Widner

Chloe Wider, representing Stanford University in 2023 as a senior, Chloe Widner made an indelible mark in collegiate gymnastics with her outstanding performances. Widner earned prestigious accolades, including NCAA First Team All-American on Beam and a spot on the All-Pac-12 First Team for her prowess on Bars.

Throughout the 2023 season, Widner competed in 14 meets for the Cardinal across Vault, Bars, Beam, and Floor exercises, with notable appearances in the all-around competition. Her exceptional talent shone through as she secured the second-most event titles for Stanford gymnasts, claiming victories across various disciplines, including Beam, Bars, Floor, and the all-around competition.

Notably, her exceptional performance at the Berkley Regional in the 2024 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships solidified her legacy, as she clinched the all-title with a score of 39.700, tying her career-high score and propelling Stanford to the Regional Final of the NCAA Championships. Widner’s consistent excellence throughout the season is highlighted by her impressive routines and high-scoring performances.

Kiya Johnson

Kiya Johnson, a standout gymnast for LSU, has left an indelible mark on the collegiate gymnastics scene, earning accolades such as inclusion in the 2023 Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll. Known for her impressive scores, Johnson has been a pillar of strength for the LSU team, showcasing her talent as an All-American and former SEC Freshman of the Year.

Despite her undeniable success, Johnson’s journey has been marked by adversity. In her fourth year with the program, she faced a significant setback when she tore her Achilles tendon early in the season, forcing her to sit out. Now, after overcoming this obstacle, Johnson has made a triumphant comeback to the competition arena. With an impressive average score of 9.95 on the floor exercise, she anchors the team’s lineup and competes at the highest level in college gymnastics, showcasing her skills in the All-Around competition.