NCAA Gymnastics: LSU Stars Discuss ‘Unfinished Business’, Senior Night and More

As the last home meet for the LSU star gymnasts on the beam, bars, and floor approaches, the NCAA Gymnastics team has announced that they are nearing the end, as they play in honor of the seniors this year. Despite this, the team remains focused on winning a National Championship this year. 2020 Nastia Liukin Cup qualifier Olivia Dunne and junior Olympic qualifier Sierra Ballard have shared their personal opinions with the media on the approaching end.

In an LSU Gymnastics Media Session dated March 11, 2024, LSU gymnasts describe it as their most dynamic year yet at LSU. Despite the upcoming Friday night marking their Senior 9 season, they see it as just another routine season or practice session, according to the gymnasts. While head coach Jay Clark has been appreciative of the two leading LSU gymnasts, they modestly attribute their final-year performances to the overall experience gained throughout their time on the team.

LSU Tigers talk about season end ahead of the NCAA Gymnastics roster

The Senior 9 season is much awaited for the NCAA star gymnastics team and the Friday night event upholds an affirmative emotional run amongst the LSU gymnasts. On asked about their gut feelings on the upcoming PMAC challenge, Sierra Ballard said, “Yes it’s a sad thing (because they are the seniors now and it might be their last season), but it’s more of just exciting. It’s like celebrating our time here at LSU and the legacy that we get to leave.” Continuing the similar learned routine outside the LSU senior barrel, the challenges would be simplified, if the gymnasts take in from the learnings during the LSU gymnastics routines.

On the other hand, Olivia Dunne is not as apprehensive about the declaration made. She optimistically believed in saying, “I’m just treating it like another meet like there is still an unfinished business. But, we will be celebrating the seniors and the amazing fifth years, sixth years, and fourth years. So, I’m very excited.”The team recently delivered a spectacular performance at the Podium Challenge in Baton Rouge, achieving a triumphant score of 198.425. While it may not be their highest road score, the team has undoubtedly improved their NQS post-event.

Additions to the LSU gymnasts’ careers

Balancing their collegiate careers with being D1 athletes presents a significant challenge for the LSU Gymnasts. Olivia Dunne, in particular, faces the additional demands of being a full-time influencer and content creator on the web. Despite these challenges, she leads by example with her positive mindset and professional approach to finding balance between her career paths.

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Ready to leave the college landscape after her final 2024 season, Olivia Dunne marks to compete majestically at the 2024 NCAA gymnastics championship and create history. “This has been my favorite year at LSU so far. I mean, every year has just gotten better and the way that this team gets along with one another is unlike any other team that I’ve been on,” Olivia Dunne said.

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While Sierra Ballard performed against No.19 Georgia and scored a 9.825 on the beam, she was grateful to announce that this routine was at the same place that her mother, Lori Strong Ballard, a 2x Canadian Olympian, had performed back then. Expressing her joy for the opportunity, she wrote on X, “Like mother like daughter. dreams came true last Friday. So grateful for the opportunity to compete in the same place as my mom. i love you steg. i love you LSU. i love you gymnastics.”