"A feeling I want to feel again" - Paul Skenes’ girlfriend Olivia Dunne on her decision to return to LSU after national championship
MLB rookie sensation Paul Skenes' girlfriend, Olivia Dunne, announced that she will be returning to LSU next year. It will mark her fifth and final season participating as a Tigers' gymnast.
After a few injury-riddle seasons, Dunne was unsure about her future. However, she still feels like she has more to give to the sport and LSU is coming off a national championship.
Dunne recently chatted with the New York Post's Jenna Lemoncelli about her decision. She cites the team's culture and finding love for the sport again as the main reasons for her return.
"Our team made LSU history - first national championship. It was so exciting for not only our team, but the whole university. And that is a feeling that I want to feel again," Dunne said.
LSU claimed their first gymnastics title last year in close fashion. It all came down to a performance on the beam from Aleah Finnegan to ultimately give the Tigers the victory over California and Utah by just a .375 margin.
"It was so special and the bond with the girls - And I've really found my love for the sport again last year, I'd say. So that's one of the main reasons why I wanted to come back," said Dunne.
Olivia Dunne cites a tough balance between NIL, school, and athletics
The last few years have been tough for Olivia Dunne. She was busy with the NIL, school, competing and her relationship with future Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes.
The constant pull caused her to fall out of love with gymnastics. She felt as if she was wearing herself thin. But now, she feels she has a better understanding of how to juggle all of these things going into her fifth year at LSU.
"My sophomore and junior year was quite hard to balance NIL with school and athletics. It was just a hard balance, and there was nobody I could follow in their footsteps because nobody's ever done it before. I kind of just had to carve my own path and find out what works for me," Dunne said.
All eyes will be on Dunne and LSU as they return to compete during the upcoming season. They will be looking to repeat as national champions and every other school will be gunning for them.