Olivia Dunne hopes boyfriend Paul Skenes gets 'nervous' watching her perform gymnastics

While Olivia Dunne hasn't confirmed if she will return to LSU Gymnastics for a fifth year, the NCAA Champion is busy cheering her boyfriend Paul Skenes on in the MLB. The 21-year-old claimed she gets nervous watching Skenes compete, and hopes that the Pittsburgh Pirates star feels the same when she performs her favorite sport, gymnastics.

Dunne and Skenes announced their relationship last year, and have been regulars at each other's games since then. The 2024 season saw important moments in both of their careers. While Skenes made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the LSU gymnast was crowned the NCAA champion for the first time.

When Paul Skenes made his MLB debut in May against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park, Livvy Dunne was present to cheer for the No.1 draft. However, she recently revealed in an interview with Bleacher Report that she feels more nervous while watching Skenes perform compared to when she herself performs on the gymnastics floor.

"I get more nervous watching Paul because it’s just different when you’re not doing it, and you’re not in control," the 21-year-old said. "But I am confident in his abilities, and I kind of channel those nerves into excitement for him."

The NCAA Champion was later asked whether her boyfriend feels the same way. Heaping praise on Skenes, Dunne said she hoped so.

"I don’t know. I hope so (laughs)! I honestly don’t know anyone who thinks the way he does. So, I genuinely don’t know what he would say."

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Paul Skenes was the first person Olivia Dunne called after winning the 2024 NCAA Gymnastics Championships

While Olivia Dunne didn't compete in the finals of the NCAA Gymnastics Championships 2024, she played a pivotal part in LSU's journey toward their eventual triumph. The 21-year-old was the Tigers’ star performer on floor exercise throughout the season.

LSU v Florida

After LSU Gymnastics lifted the NCAA Championships trophy for the first time in their history, Dunne claimed she was so happy that after the victory she wanted to return for a fifth year. Dunne first shared her feelings with boyfriend Paul Skenes, who had also won the national championship with LSU. She revealed (via People):

"I just wanted to fill him in on what just happened because I know he just won a national championship at LSU. He understands all the feelings so I just wanted to call him and just tell him what it was like."