LSU’s gymnastics season came to a painful and unexpected close Thursday night as the team finished third in the NCAA championship semifinals, narrowly missing the top two spots required to move on to the finals. With a solid team score of 197.5250, LSU fell just behind UCLA and Utah, both of whom secured the coveted final berths. The loss was especially heartbreaking due to how tight the scoring margins were.
For LSU fans, the disappointment was overwhelming, amplified by an emotional social media post from Julz Dunne, sister of standout gymnast Olivia Dunne. Julz shared an Instagram story featuring a photo of her and Olivia in the stands, writing, “It’s been a pleasure. Forever cheering you on.” The moment encapsulated the emotional weight carried not just by the fans, but by the Dunne family. Olivia, a central figure for LSU gymnastics, had been sidelined for much of the season due to a serious injury: an avulsion fracture in her kneecap. Though she had contributed significantly in prior seasons, this year she could only support her teammates from the sidelines.
Olivia’s injury was described by LSU head coach Jay Clark as particularly severe—something more common in car accidents than sports. The cause remained unclear to Dunne herself, making it all the more frustrating. This season had represented a comeback for her after a year of limited participation, where critics dismissed her as just a “cheerleader.” Determined to prove them wrong, she trained hard, even teasing a return on bars. But ultimately, the injury derailed her comeback, and she missed key events including her Senior Night.
Despite the setback, LSU delivered an admirable performance. Kailin Chio scored an impressive 9.975 on vault to win the individual national title, and KJ Johnson added a strong 9.8375. Still, the Tigers couldn’t quite edge out their competition. Fans were not only devastated by the outcome, but also confused and angered by the scoring. Many took to social media questioning the judging, claiming the team had been underscored and calling out inconsistency in the results. One fan pointed out how LSU’s score of 197.5250 was higher than Missouri’s 197.300 in another session—yet Missouri advanced and LSU didn’t.
Others shared sentiments about LSU’s typical excellence and how uncharacteristic the meet felt. Some pointed to unusual over-rotations and less polished routines, but many felt Olivia’s absence contributed significantly—not just as an athlete, but as a source of energy and emotional leadership. Her absence was deeply felt, especially as she worked tirelessly to return from injury, using every recovery method available.
LSU’s elimination from the championship felt like an unjust end to a season filled with determination and grit. The loss stung for everyone, but perhaps no more than for Olivia Dunne, who had hoped for one final shining moment on the NCAA stage. While her teammates fought hard and left everything on the floor, the season’s abrupt ending left fans and athletes alike wondering what might have been.