Dunne had to watch the finals from the sidelines. She did not participate in the final.

 Olivia Dunne hoists first-place trophy at NCAA Women's National...
Olivia Dunne hoists first-place trophy at NCAA Women’s National ChampionshipLAPRESSE

LSU has clinched its first-ever national championship in a thrilling NCAA Gymnastics Championship finals.

The Tigers’ victory came despite the absence of senior standout Olivia Dunne, who was unexpectedly benched for the competition.

The Tigers’ road to victory was marked by intense competition and stellar performances.

LSU led through two rotations but briefly lost the lead to Utah before regaining it with a strong finish on beam. In the fourth and final rotation, five Tiger gymnasts scored a 9.9 or higher, securing the team’s victory.

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Dunne, who had been a standout performer for LSU all season, was unable to compete in any of the rotations during the finals. Despite her absence, Dunne took to Instagram to celebrate the team’s victory, calling it the “best day ever.”

It was an exciting final

LSU’s victory was a close one, with California finishing just behind them in second place. Utah, which briefly took the lead during the competition, ultimately finished in third place, followed by Florida in fourth.

The championship win marks a historic moment for LSU gymnastics, capping off a remarkable season for the team.

As the Tigers celebrate their victory, fans and analysts alike are left to wonder about the circumstances surrounding Dunne’s benching and its impact on the team’s success.

Angel Reese congratulated the champions

The brand new Chicago Sky star Angel Reese took to her X, formerly Twitter, account to congratulate Dunne and the team.

Reese an LSU Tiger until this past March shared her excitement about the championship saying, “NATIONAL CHAMPS!! YESSSSS!!!!! Congrats girliessssss!!!”

The former forward of the Tigers basketball team already knows what it’s like to celebrate a championship.
Last year, LSU beat all the odds to win the Final Four and although this year they fell short, Reese’s well-earned reputation earned her the seventh overall pick in the WNBA Draft held this past weekend.