Olivia Dunne, Haleigh Bryant and more react as Alyona Shchennikova graduates from LSU

Olivia Dunne, Haleigh Bryant, and more gymnasts have shared congratulatory messages for teammate Alyona Shchennikova as she graduated from Louisiana State University. Despite her graduation, the 2017 U.S. Classic champion will continue to remain part of the Tigers' gymnastics team in the 2025 season.

Shchennikova joined LSU during the 2019-20 season and after winning her maiden NCAA Championship earlier this year, she graduated on December 19. The 23-year-old shared a series of pictures from the ceremony on Wednesday, and expressing her happiness, she wrote:

"first generation masters🥳🎓," she wrote.

Shchennikova's teammate at LSU gymnastics, Olivia Dunne hyped up the gymnast with a sweet reply, writing:

"GRADDIE BADDIE"

Her fellow national gymnastics champion Haleigh Bryant congratulated the gymnast and wrote that she was proud of her.

"sooo proud of you," she wrote.

Olympic gymnast Aleah Finnegan was also proud of her LSU teammate's feat, writing:

"So beyond proud of you."

LSU senior Alexis Jeffery, who's due to graduate next year, was also proud of Shchennikova.

"so proud of you Lon," she wrote.

Olivia Dunne and more react to Alyona Shchennikova's LSU graduation (via Instagram)

Alongside Shchennikova, Livvy Dunne also received a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies during the commencement ceremony. She showed off her diploma while wearing her cap and gown on the school's campus and shared a series of pictures later on Instagram to show her love for LSU.

"Forever LSU," she captioned the post.

While the 22-year-old's undergrad career is over, she will continue to represent LSU Gymnastics in the 2025 NCAA Championships for her fifth and final year.

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Olivia Dunne explained her decision to return to LSU for fifth year

2024 LSU Archive - Olivia Dunne in action during exhibition meet- Source: Getty.

Olivia Dunne joined the LSU Tigers during the 2020-21 season and after missing out on the NCAA Championships for three straight years, she finally got her hands on the trophy earlier this year. The victory sparked a renewed love for the sport and LSU with the social media sensation eventually deciding to return for a fifth and final year.

Explaining her decision, she said (via Yahoo Sports):

“This past year I found a renewed love of the sport. I had trained a lot in the off season, so I felt really strong and healthy from the start and ready to contribute. I really enjoyed the dynamic of the team this year and it all came together well. Winning the national championships was a great team accomplishment, but I feel like I have more to give as an individual competitor."

The 22-year-old joined the LSU Gymnastics camp before the graduation ceremony and kicked off her season at LSU's annual "Gymnastics 101" exhibition meet. The Lady Tigers are set to kickstart the 2025 NCAA season on January 3rd against Iowa State.