Watch the incredible moment Olivia Dunne and her LSU Gymnastics teammates found out they had been crowned national champions for the first time… with Sports Illustrated star immediately bursting into tears!
- The Tigers prevailed by starting the final rotation in third place and won the title
- In what is likely her final collegiate gymnastics competition, Dunne comes out on top
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Olivia Dunne immediately burst into tears when she and her LSU gymnastics teammates found out they had secured the program’s first national championship.
Facing stiff competition from No. 3-5 national seeds California, Utah and Florida, Dunne and the rest of the No. 2 ranked Tigers knew the margins for being crowned champions were razor thin.
To make Dunne even more nervous on the sidelines, LSU finished the match on the balance beam, a notoriously harsh discipline to maintain or increase a lead.
After LSU head coach Jay Clark confirmed that Aleah Finnegan’s 9.950 in the final routine of the season was enough to claim a title, the relief was evident from Dunne, who couldn’t stop the waterworks.
Dunne was far from the only LSU gymnast overcome with emotion. Although she did not participate in the national championship game, the social media sensation was a valued member of the Tigers squad all season.
Dunne celebrates with the national championship trophy after LSU’s victory on Saturday
As soon as Clark informed his team of their triumph, Dunne burst into tears along with her team
Aleah Finnegan scored a 9.95 on beam to seal the win for LSU at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth
The tears eventually gave way to elation as she got a bunch of photos holding up and kissing the national championship trophy.
The Tigers claimed the title with a score of 198.225, defeating California (197.850), Utah (197.800) and Florida (197.4375).
No. 1 overall seed Oklahoma was eliminated in the national semifinals after entering Thursday’s meet with the Sooners’ lowest score on vault since January 2008.
Dunne took to Instagram as the team celebrated, calling it the “best day ever.”
The finals would likely be the last college gymnastics competition for Dunne, who has more than 13 million followers on TikTok and Instagram alone.
LSU, which finished fourth last year, trailed Utah by .037 points and led third-place California by .113 after three rotations, but senior Sierra Ballard started the fourth and final rotation on beam with a career-high 9.950 — her only routine of day .
Dunne took to Instagram as the team celebrated, calling it the “best day ever”
Dunne’s mirror selfie before what was likely her final gymnastics competition on Saturday
It remains to be seen where Dunne goes from here, now that her college gymnastics career appears likely to be over.
She has an annual NIL worth of $3.7 million, per On3, the highest of any gymnast and No. 3 in college sports.
Dunne’s post-LSU possibilities are endless, with her brand deals open to larger partnerships.
Although there is no professional gymnastics league, Dunne’s star power is undeniable. She could see a similar gain to Caitlin Clark.
Clark had an NIL with Nike while at Iowa, and recently signed an eight-figure partnership with the company.