A successful year for the famous gymnast

Angel Reese.LAPRESSE

LSU gymnastics sensation Olivia Dunne bid farewell to her college career during Friday’s home meet against North Carolina, representing the No. 2 Tigers. Fellow LSU star Angel Reese, a prominent figure in the women’s basketball team, voiced her support for Dunne via her Instagram stories.

As LSU anticipates securing a No. 2 seed for the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Dunne leaves behind a notable legacy. With a massive social media following of 9.3 million and numerous endorsements including Sports Illustrated, Leafs Trading Cards, and PlantFuel, Dunne has transcended the realm of collegiate gymnastics.

An outstanding year

As Dunne ponders her future at LSU, she reflected on her most successful competition year, driven by her aspirations for a lasting legacy, exemplified by her Livvy Dunne Foundation.

“This has been my favorite year at LSU so far,” Dunne said.

“The way this team gets along with one another is like no other. This year has been a blast. The trust we have in one another. The friendly competition we have in the gym. That has helped everyone this year.

“My summers are usually pretty hectic. I treated it like my last year, so I wanted to make the best of it. It really paid off.

“I wouldn’t say I took it more seriously. I just didn’t know what the right balance was for me as a person with NIL, schoolwork and practice. This year, I had the best grasp on it.”

With the NCAA granting extra eligibility to student-athletes affected by COVID-19, Dunne’s decision regarding her return remains pending. With talented teammates such as Haleigh Bryant, Dunne eyes a potential national championship to culminate her LSU journey in April