LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne sidelined from senior night, uncertain timeline for NCAA championships return

LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne has revealed she is dealing with an avulsion fracture of her patella, an injury that forced her to miss the team’s senior night meet on Friday. As reported by Fox News, the 22-year-old shared the update in an Instagram post, expressing her disappointment at not being able to compete in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center one last time.

Since her last competition on Jan. 24 against Arkansas, Dunne has been sidelined. Despite the setback, she remains optimistic about a potential return for the NCAA championships next month. Recovery from such an injury typically takes at least three months, but in some cases, it can extend up to six months, raising concerns about her future in gymnastics.

The Cleveland Clinic describes an avulsion fracture as an injury where a small piece of bone attached to a tendon or ligament is pulled away from the main bone.

LSU, ranked No. 2, capped off their home season with a commanding 198.575-197.175 win over No. 10 Georgia. The Tigers are now preparing for their upcoming meets, with an away competition against Auburn on Friday, followed by the SEC Championships on March 22. The national regionals will take place from April 2-6, with the NCAA Championships—where LSU will look to defend its title—scheduled for April 17-19 in Fort Worth.

Dunne, one of the NCAA’s top-earning athletes under the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules, had the option for a fifth year of eligibility and chose to return. She has a strong social media presence, with millions of followers across platforms.

Off the mat, Dunne is in a relationship with LSU alum Paul Skenes, the 2024 MLB National League Rookie of the Year.