These days, Olivia Dunne is frequently spotted at Pittsburgh Pirates games. On Friday, she was in Minneapolis to cheer on Paul Skenes during the Pirates’ matchup against the Minnesota Twins, which didn’t end in her favor, as the Twins narrowly defeated the Pirates 2-1. Still, Olivia had her moment at Target Field when the Jumbotron featured her as her celebrity look-alike, adding a funny twist to the night. But does any of this mean Olivia has completely moved on from college gymnastics?
Following LSU gymnastics’ exit from the National Championships last season, Olivia Dunne announced her retirement from the sport, saying in a social media video, “Thank you for everything, gymnastics. You were so good to me.” Still, Livvy hasn’t let go of her gymnastics roots or her connection to the LSU Tigers program. Want proof?
On July 14, Olivia Dunne left a three-word comment under Ashleigh Gnat’s Instagram post. What did the social media star write? “LSU legend 4EVER.” She was referring to Ashleigh as the LSU legend. But who exactly is Ashleigh Gnat, and what was her post about?
In her post, Ashleigh Gnat shared, “Being a part of the LSU Gymnastics program has been the greatest privilege of my life. Wearing and representing those three letters has shaped me into the person that I am today. With that being said, I have decided to step away from my current position as Assistant Coach to pursue personal goals and new responsibilities.” Gnat played a key role in guiding Olivia Dunne and her teammates during their 2024 National Gymnastics Championships run. But she’s also someone who knows the program inside and out, both as an athlete and a coach.
Well, before stepping into coaching, Ashleigh Gnat proudly wore the purple for LSU during her college career. She was a standout, earning 17 All-American honors, winning four Southeastern Conference event titles, and becoming the 2017 NCAA Floor Champion. In 2019, Gnat began her coaching journey with Penn State gymnastics, but eventually returned to her alma mater to take on a prestigious coaching role. Her impact was clear— in 2024, she guided LSU’s beam squad to the highest NQS in program history, helping secure the Tigers’ first-ever national championship. That deep connection likely came through in her Instagram message.
Moreover, in her post, the 30-year-old reflected, “The sport has given me everything over the last 25 years.” She’s truly experienced it all within the Tigers’ program. That sentiment came through when she wrote, “Friday Nights in the PMAC are truly one of a kind and I look forward to supporting the program as it continues to compete for the championships.” She closed with, “This isn’t just home, it’s family.” Gnat’s loyalty to the purple and gold is unwavering. “I will always bleed Purple and Gold. All heart, all the time. Forever,” she declared on Instagram. Yet, one question remains: what made Ashleigh Gnat such a breath of fresh air for the Tigers’ program?
Olivia Dunne’s former coach was more than a coach.
Back in January of last year, LSU Athletics hosted the inspiring “Planting Seeds of Hope” event, shining a light on the power of hope and mental health. Ashleigh Gnat took center stage on a panel alongside Kevin Faulk, Delvin Breaux Sr., and Brandon Saho, speaking before a packed audience of hundreds. Grateful for the experience, Gnat shared her appreciation on X: “Grateful to have been a part of this event! It was amazing to see our community come together to talk about the importance of mental health.” At the time, Olivia Dunne was still making her mark with the LSU Tigers — no doubt soaking up those meaningful moments within the camp.
Credit: Instagram/ Ashleigh Gnat
But that wasn’t all. Later that year, the Tigers unveiled their fresh new gear, giving the world a first look at the revamped purple and gold leotards. Ashleigh Gnat proudly shared that the updated designs carried more than just visual flair — they honored LSU’s historic SEC accomplishments in style. Through every role she’s played — athlete, coach, or mentor — Ashleigh Gnat’s legacy at LSU remains stitched into every thread of purple and gold.
The post Olivia Dunne Honors LSU Gymnastics Legend With 3 Words That Say It All appeared first on EssentiallySports.
