LSU gymnastics coach Jay Clark made a bold call on January 31, and it may have sent a clear message: the Tigers don’t need Olivia Dunne to win. But that may be a good thing, as the star gymnast ends her eligibility this year.
Just a week after LSU suffered a tough defeat against Arkansas, Clark left Dunne out of the floor exercise lineup against Missouri-a move that turned out to be a game-changer.
Dunne, the social media sensation and super senior, had competed on floor against Arkansas but only scored a 9.70. With the team looking to bounce back, Clark opted for a fresh rotation against Missouri, replacing Dunne with fellow senior Sierra Ballard.
Clark’s bold move paid off handsomely
The result? A dominant performance that proved the Tigers might be just fine without their most famous athlete.
Ballard set the tone for LSU with a solid 9.850, while Chase Brock and newcomer Kailin Chio both put up impressive 9.900s. Amari Drayton matched that score, and defending NCAA all-around champion Haleigh Bryant anchored with a near-flawless 9.950.
Even though Missouri had their own star, Helen Hu, scoring a stunning 9.975 on beam, it wasn’t enough to stop LSU from taking the overall victory with a commanding 198.000-197.175 score.
What will happen to Livvy for the rest of the season?
The decision to bench Dunne-and the team’s success without her-raises questions about her role moving forward. While she remains one of the most marketable athletes in college sports, her performance on the mat has been underwhelming.
Clark’s lineup shift not only secured a big win but may have signaled a shift in the team’s priorities. With LSU proving they can thrive without Dunne, could this be the beginning of the end of her competitive gymnastics career?