LSU Gymnastics and Livvy Dunne Are One Win Away From the Semifinals

As the NCAA gymnastics postseason reaches a fever pitch, the LSU Tigers find themselves on the brink of history. Led by their high-powered roster, unwavering team chemistry, and national sensation Livvy Dunne, the Tigers are now just one meet away from the NCAA semifinals, an achievement that would mark yet another milestone for a program that has steadily risen into the upper echelon of collegiate gymnastics.

With the NCAA Regionals underway, LSU has positioned itself perfectly, coming off a dominant showing in the first round and poised to continue that momentum. For the Tigers, a win in their next meet will not only secure a spot in the semifinals but also bring them one step closer to capturing the elusive national title that has so far remained just out of reach.

A Powerhouse in the Making

The LSU gymnastics program has long been a force within the Southeastern Conference (SEC), routinely producing elite-level talent and competing with juggernauts like Florida, Oklahoma, and Utah. Under head coach Jay Clark, the team has embraced a new era of consistency, energy, and a championship mindset. While the Tigers have made the NCAA Championships many times before, this year feels different.

“This team is locked in,” Clark said after LSU’s last meet. “We have the depth, the leadership, and the firepower. Now it’s about executing when it counts most.”

And execute they have. LSU posted one of the highest scores in the nation during regional qualifying, outperforming several top-10 programs. The team’s cohesion and event balance have made them dangerous on every apparatus. From the vault to the floor, they don’t just participate—they dominate.

Livvy Dunne: The Star and the Spark

At the heart of the team’s magnetic presence is none other than Olivia “Livvy” Dunne, the All-American gymnast whose fame transcends the sport. Known for her dazzling performances and high-flying bar routines, Dunne has also become one of the most recognizable athletes in college sports thanks to her massive social media presence, NIL endorsements, and public appearances.

But Dunne’s impact isn’t just viral—it’s vital.

This season, despite battling minor injuries early on, Dunne has provided crucial contributions, especially on bars, her signature event. Her presence brings more than just clean lines and stuck landings—it brings energy, visibility, and a galvanizing confidence to the team.

“Livvy brings a light and a focus that’s contagious,” said teammate Haleigh Bryant. “When she hits her routine, it’s like the whole arena shifts. We feed off that.”

Dunne’s senior season has also marked a turning point in her evolution. Once viewed primarily as a social media phenom, she’s now proving herself as a competitor determined to end her college career on the sport’s biggest stage.

The Road to Regionals: Dominance and Growth

LSU entered the regional round as the No. 3 overall seed nationally, an impressive feat that underscores their strength across all four events. At the Baton Rouge Regional, they soared through the opening round with a meet-high score of 198.125, led by huge performances from Bryant, Aleah Finnegan, and Kiya Johnson.

That score wasn’t just good—it was elite.

Their vault rotation, often a separator at the highest level, was explosive. Finnegan and Bryant each scored above 9.95, and the rest of the lineup followed suit. On beam, LSU executed with surgical precision, not counting a fall and showing off their depth even when faced with pressure.

The bar routines, where Dunne contributed a clean 9.875, were crisp and composed. And when it came to floor, the Tigers lit up the arena with big tumbling passes and expressive choreography.

Head coach Clark said the performance was the “best overall meet of the season,” adding that “this team is peaking at the right time.”

Balanced Leadership: More Than Just Dunne

While Livvy Dunne grabs headlines, LSU’s success is built on a foundation of team balance and veteran leadership.

Senior Haleigh Bryant, a former NCAA individual national champion, has emerged as one of the top all-arounders in the country. Her consistent excellence—whether on vault, floor, or bars—has provided LSU with the kind of reliable scoring edge that championship teams need.

Likewise, Kiya Johnson, returning from an Achilles injury that sidelined her in 2023, has made an emotional and athletic impact. Her beam and floor routines often bring the house down, and her leadership in the locker room is equally valuable.

Sophomore Aleah Finnegan has blossomed into an all-around threat, frequently delivering meet-clinching routines and anchoring the Tigers’ most high-pressure events.

Together, this trio—supported by a deep bench of emerging underclassmen—gives LSU a multi-dimensional attack that makes them hard to beat.

The Semifinal Push: What’s at Stake

Now, as they prepare for the regional final, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A win in this next meet will send LSU to the NCAA Semifinals in Fort Worth, Texas—one of the biggest stages in collegiate athletics.

For a program with a long history of near-misses—including four second-place finishes at nationals—getting back to the semifinals represents both a continuation of their tradition and a chance to finally take the last step.

The semifinal field is expected to include the likes of Florida, Utah, Oklahoma, and possibly California—all elite programs with deep rosters. LSU will need to be perfect—or close to it—to advance to the national championship final.

But Clark is confident.

“If we do what we did last weekend,” he said, “we’re going to Fort Worth. And once we’re there, anything can happen.”

Dunne’s Legacy and the NIL Effect

Livvy Dunne’s influence on LSU gymnastics can’t be measured solely in scores. She’s brought unprecedented attention to the program, helped attract new fans, and redefined what it means to be a student-athlete in the NIL era.

With millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram, Dunne has used her platform not only to secure lucrative deals with brands like Vuori, American Eagle, and Motorola, but also to advocate for mental health awareness, women’s sports visibility, and NIL equity.

“She’s broken down barriers for gymnasts and women’s sports in general,” Coach Clark noted. “Her impact goes beyond the mat.”

Her presence has even affected recruiting. LSU has seen a rise in applications and gymnastic inquiries, with young athletes inspired by both the team’s success and Dunne’s visibility.

As her college career winds down, Dunne has hinted at turning her focus toward brand expansion and possibly even a professional or media path. But for now, her goal is simple: help LSU win a national title.

Tigers and the Title: Is This the Year?

With a win in their next meet, LSU will not only return to the semifinals but also validate a season filled with expectation. Everything the team has worked toward—through offseason conditioning, rigorous meets, and moments of adversity—comes down to this final regional showdown.

The talent is there. The chemistry is undeniable. And the hunger is palpable.

“This group is different,” Dunne said. “We’re not just here to compete. We’re here to win.”

If they can replicate their recent performance, the Tigers have a legitimate shot not just to make it to Fort Worth, but to contend for the program’s first-ever national championship.

The Road Ahead: Matchups, Mindsets, and Momentum

In the upcoming regional final, LSU is likely to face strong competition, including Oregon State, Stanford, and Arkansas—each bringing unique challenges. The Tigers will need to stay locked in, avoid counting falls, and stick their landings with authority.

Mental toughness will be as crucial as technical execution. The Tigers have spent the past few weeks working on visualization, mindfulness, and recovery—recognizing that the difference between advancing and going home could come down to tenths of a point.

The good news? This team knows how to peak under pressure.

And with an arena packed with fans, friends, and LSU faithful, the Tigers will have the crowd behind them as they seek to take one more step toward history.

One Win to Immortality

LSU gymnastics, powered by grit, star power, and team-first mentality, stands on the doorstep of greatness. One more win—and they’re semifinal bound. One more win—and Livvy Dunne’s final season continues on the national stage. One more win—and the Tigers move closer to shedding the label of “almost” and embracing the mantle of champions.

For Dunne, for Clark, for every gymnast who’s worn purple and gold—this is the moment.

And if the Tigers have shown anything this season, it’s that they’re more than ready.