Olivia Dunne Savors Early Taste of NCAA Championship Victory Two Days Before Qualifying

Olivia Dunne is “back to business” and ready to sprinkle some spark on stage. Well, it’s NCAA semi-final time, and Olivia Dunne is poised to lead LSU toward their first-ever national title victory. Today, in the Thursday session, the Tigers aim to edge closer to their ultimate goal after a remarkable season filled with record-breaking attendance and impressive victories. With consistent top-three rankings and a memorable team score of 198.475 achieved in February, LSU has already secured its fifth SEC championship title last month.

Then, earlier in April, the team won the NCAA regional championship in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to advance to the NCAA semifinals in Fort Worth, Texas. As they geared for the semi-finals, with just a few hours remaining, Olivia Dunne shared a humorous video to lighten the mood.

In a recent Snapchat story, Olivia Dunne shared a video of the NCAA trophy she and LSU have their sights set on. What added intrigue to the story was seeing Kiya Johnson, her teammate who impressively scored a 9.95 on the floor last week, reaching out to touch the trophy. With a simple caption, “Kiya Johnson poked it,” the question looms: will today’s championship see them etch their names permanently onto this coveted trophy?

LSU has been tantalizingly close to collegiate gymnastics glory, finishing as runner-up four times but never capturing the ultimate prize. Despite these near misses, the image of the team basking in the victorious cascade of confetti has remained elusive. Their impressive campaign, highlighted by a 25-3 overall record, a flawless home season, and the second-highest national qualifying score at 396.465, has only amplified expectations of a long-awaited championship victory.

LSU Gymnastics soars with Haleigh Bryant, Olivia Dunne and a stellar team

Central to LSU’s dominance is 22-year-old sensation Haleigh Bryant, whose gymnastic prowess has captured the national spotlight. Bryant, now the school record holder for perfect 10.0 scores, added eight more to her tally in 2024, achieving perfection in every event. With a total of 18 perfect scores, she concluded the regular season as the top-ranked all-around gymnast in the country, sharing the top spot on the vault. Her contributions are pivotal, yet she consistently emphasizes the team’s collective effort over her individual accolades.

Beyond Bryant’s stellar performances, LSU’s roster is stacked with elite talent. Kiya Johnson made a triumphant return from injury to clinch part of the SEC floor title, while freshman Konnor McClain has excelled on bars and beam, clinching SEC titles in both. Veterans like KJ Johnson, Ashley Cowan, and Aleah Finnegan, alongside newcomers such as Savannah Schoenherr and Amari Drayton, contribute to a team dynamic.

Olivia Dunne, a standout on social media and a powerhouse in NIL deals, has also become a consistent presence in the floor lineup, adding further depth and versatility to this powerhouse squad. This depth not only showcases LSU’s strength but also highlights the fierce internal competition that propels them toward their championship aspirations.