Where Is Livvy Dunne? Injury Keeps LSU Star From NCAA Championship Semifinals
Olivia “Livvy” Dunne has been one of the most recognizable names in college gymnastics, not only for her talents on the mat and bars but also for her massive presence on social media and her role in ushering in the NIL era of college athletics. As LSU prepared to compete in the NCAA gymnastics championship semifinals, fans were met with an unexpected and disappointing reality: Dunne would not be joining her teammates on the floor. A lingering injury has sidelined the Tigers’ star at the most critical point in their season, leaving supporters wondering about the extent of the injury, her future in gymnastics, and how LSU would navigate the postseason without one of its most prominent athletes.
LSU came into the NCAA semifinals with one of the most stacked and balanced teams in the country. The Tigers have been in the national title conversation all year, led by veterans like Haleigh Bryant and anchored by elite performances on vault, beam, bars, and floor from a rotation of experienced and emerging athletes. Dunne, a senior and fan-favorite, has played a crucial role in LSU’s depth over the past four years. Although she hasn’t always competed in every meet or every event, her presence has been a steadying one. Whether it’s a solid bar routine or the energy she brings on the sidelines, Dunne has always been part of LSU’s identity.
But as the Tigers took the floor for their semifinal matchup in Fort Worth, Dunne was nowhere to be seen in the competition lineup. The announcement was subtle and sudden—head coach Jay Clark revealed that Dunne had suffered a setback in training and wouldn’t be available for the championship. The news was a gut punch not just for the LSU faithful but for the broader college gymnastics world. Dunne’s injury doesn’t just impact the lineup. It alters the vibe of the team. Her energy, charisma, and leadership are difficult to replicate.
Dunne’s injury, believed to be a lower-body issue, has been a nagging one. LSU has been cautious with her workload all season, and it became clear that they were managing her training to keep her healthy for postseason competition. But sometimes the body doesn’t cooperate, no matter how carefully you plan. In practice leading up to the semifinals, Dunne reportedly aggravated the injury, and after medical evaluations and consultations with LSU’s training staff, the decision was made to hold her out.
The move, while disappointing, was not surprising to those who have followed LSU closely all season. Dunne has been limited in the number of events she’s competed in throughout the year. Most of her contributions have come on the uneven bars—her signature event—where her technique and poise have often given LSU a scoring boost. Without her in the rotation, LSU had to rely on younger gymnasts or shuffle their order, which can be challenging under the high-pressure environment of NCAA championship competition.
What makes Dunne’s absence especially poignant is the timing. This season may well be her last in college gymnastics. While she has eligibility remaining due to the NCAA’s COVID-year policy, there’s been no clear indication that she will return for a fifth year. With a flourishing career off the mat, thanks to name-image-likeness (NIL) endorsements, modeling contracts, and a massive online following that exceeds 10 million across platforms, Dunne’s opportunities outside the gym are vast. She’s become the face of NIL for women’s sports and is arguably the most famous collegiate athlete in the country, regardless of sport.
Yet through all the fame, the appearances, the partnerships, and the social media spotlight, Dunne has remained committed to LSU gymnastics. She’s stayed grounded in her role as a student-athlete, often pointing out that her love for the sport and her teammates is what fuels her, not the attention. That’s why being unable to compete in what might be her final postseason stings in more ways than one. For Dunne, who has spent years training, competing, and growing with the LSU program, this is not how she envisioned her final chapter.
Her coaches and teammates have rallied around her in recent weeks. Head coach Jay Clark emphasized Dunne’s importance to the team beyond the routines she performs. “Livvy is a huge part of what we do, whether she’s on the mat or supporting from the sidelines,” Clark said. “She’s a leader, she’s beloved, and she’s sacrificed so much for this program. It’s unfortunate she can’t compete, but she’s still with us in every way that matters.”
LSU’s team-first mentality has been critical to their success this season, and they’ve had to adapt to adversity throughout the year. While losing Dunne is a blow, the Tigers still have the talent and depth to make a national title run. Haleigh Bryant, the all-around star and NCAA individual champion, continues to dazzle on every apparatus. Kiya Johnson, Aleah Finnegan, and others have risen to the occasion as well. But the team doesn’t feel quite whole without Dunne’s familiar presence in the rotation.
What happens next for Dunne remains unclear. As she continues to recover, she’ll likely evaluate her options regarding a possible return in 2026 or whether to turn the page and focus on her burgeoning business ventures. It’s no secret that Dunne has more options than most collegiate athletes. She’s parlayed her gymnastics success into a brand that’s as recognizable as any in sports today. With endorsements from brands like Vuori, American Eagle, and others, she’s already built an empire that could support her for years to come. That said, she’s also been candid about how gymnastics shaped her, and she’s never ruled out returning.
In a recent interview before the championship, Dunne spoke about the balance of athletics, academics, and fame. “It’s definitely a lot,” she said. “But gymnastics has always been at the center. That’s where everything started. No matter what I do next, I’ll always be grateful for LSU and for what gymnastics has given me.”
That gratitude is mutual. LSU fans have embraced Dunne as more than just an influencer or NIL trailblazer. To them, she’s a Tiger through and through—someone who helped put the program on the national stage and inspired countless young athletes. Her work ethic, charisma, and commitment to her team have left an imprint that will outlast any single season.
There’s still a possibility that LSU could advance to the national championship meet, where Dunne might return in a support role, cheering on her teammates from the sideline or even participating in some ceremonial capacity. But for those who hoped to see her finish her career with one final bar routine or celebratory floor landing, it’s a disappointing twist in what has otherwise been a special season for the Tigers.
Injuries are part of sports. They interrupt storylines and challenge even the toughest athletes. For Dunne, this moment is a reminder that even stars can’t control every variable. She’s faced the setback with grace, showing up for her team however she can, continuing to inspire from a different kind of spotlight. Whether or not she returns to competition, her legacy at LSU is secure—not just for what she did on the bars but for the way she changed the perception of what a college gymnast could be.
As LSU pushes forward in the NCAA championship without one of its brightest stars, they carry Dunne’s spirit with them. And somewhere, on the sideline or in the shadows of Fort Worth’s big stage, she’s still making an impact—still Livvy, still leading.
