Livvy Dunne describes emotions of her first meet back at LSU

LSU gymnastics began its season on Friday, facing Iowa State in Baton Rouge. The program’s main storyline entering the 2025 season is the return of Livvy Dunne as she enters the final season of her eligibility. Winning a national championship is the main goal and something Dunne specifically came back for.

The journey will go one meet at a time and for now, all Dunne can do is reflect on the meet against Iowa State. She described the emotions of being back and once again explaining why she decided to compete for another season at LSU. Even early on, Dunne knows a special group is forming.

“Friday was great,” Dunne said. “The best way I can describe it is complete joy. I had a blast and I feel like the decision to come back was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I feel like I have to seize every moment because I know it could be my last. It’s my last year of eligibility and I just want to make the best of it and have the best time with this group of girls. Because we’re never going to get this team back and we’re a special group of girls.”

Dunne recently graduated from LSU and had she decided to move on, there would have been plenty of other opportunities for her. However, she has stated multiple times how important coming back for another season is for her. Getting one more run with the Tigers has been her priority from the beginning in her fifth and final year.

There’s no better way to start your campaign than with a win, as LSU edged out Iowa State 197.3-194.1. Dunne participated in the floor and beam, scoring inside the top five in both rounds. She produced a 9.875 on the floor (good enough for third) and a 9.825 on the beam (fourth).

But Dunne would likely be the first to tell you that team success comes first. Now, the meets are going to get a bump in quality.

Next up for LSU will be a trip to Oklahoma City for the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad on Saturday. Three other high-level programs — Cal, Oklahoma, and Utah, will be there to compete. Of the four participating, the Golden Bears are ranked the lowest at No. 6.