One of LSU’s most popular athletes will likely compete for the final time on the LSU campus Friday night. Olivia Dunne and the 2nd ranked LSU gymnastics squad host North Carolina for Senior night. Dunne only competed in four meets last year because of injuries, but she says a more focused approach with all her responsibilities has led to better results.
“I just definitely didn’t know the right balance for me as a person with NIL,” said Dunne. “Balancing school work, and practice, I didn’t know the balance in the past, but this year I feel like I had the best grasp on it.”
The social media star, who is earning millions through NIL deals, has competed on uneven bars several times this year and last week matched a career-high 9.90 score on the floor.
Last summer, Dunne started the Livvy fund, to help other LSU female athletes land NIL deals with some of the top brands. She’s proud of the legacy she’s leaving behind.
“What I want to leave at LSU is that you can have it all, you could be a student-athlete, an entrepreneur, you can do it all and find success in all areas.”
The 21-year-old is a senior but does have one more year of eligibility left. Dunne is not ready to speculate on her future, she’s more focused on helping LSU win its first national championship in gymnastics. The New Jersey native admits this has been her favorite year at LSU.
“The way this team gets along with one another is unlike any other team that I’ve been on, because every year there’s a new group of girls and there’s a different dynamic, but this year has just been a blast,” said Dunne.
Graduate student Sierra Ballard from Mandeville will also be recognized during senior night ceremonies at LSU. Ballard is the lead off on floor, because of the energy she brings to the event.
LSU is ranked number two in the polls, trailing two time defending national champion Oklahoma. California is ranked third, followed by Florida, Utah, Kentucky and Alabama.
The SEC Championships are in New Orleans on March 23rd at the Smoothie King Center.
