Former LSU Tigers gymnast Olivia Dunne took time off from her regular activities to join her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, alongside her sister Julz Dunne and friends, at the College World Series (CWS) in Omaha. The couple was seen celebrating with LSU fans during the event, highlighting the strong connection between their personal moments and the baseball tournament excitement.
On Tuesday, Dunne and Skenes were spotted at Rocco’s Pizza & Cantina, participating in the popular Jell-O shot challenge hosted before LSU’s CWS game against UCLA. Dunne wore a unique double-colored jersey that combined LSU purple on the front with Skenes’ Pirates jersey on the back. Highlighting this in her social media post, she wrote:
“Business in the back … party in the front” —Olivia Dunne
Dunne cheered on the Tigers from the stands as LSU secured a 4-1 winner’s bracket victory over Arkansas, showing her support for her college team.
Paul Skenes Returns to Omaha with Olivia Dunne on His Off-Day
Paul Skenes, the standout pitcher who led LSU to the 2023 CWS championship and now part of the Pittsburgh Pirates, made a special return to Omaha during his off-day to spend time with Dunne and friends. Skenes was featured in moments from the Jell-O shot leaderboard updates, all captured by Dunne through her social media content.
Olivia Dunne Reflects on Paul Skenes’ Rise from College to MLB
Attention centered on Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes, both familiar faces from the 2023 tournament before Skenes’ transition to professional baseball with the Pirates. Dunne, who first met Skenes at LSU, shared insights about watching his rapid ascent in the baseball world, which included winning the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year.
At the College World Series red carpet in Omaha, Dunne expressed her experience:
“Watching him go from college through the minors to the MLB has honestly been such a dream and so fun to watch.” —Olivia Dunne
“It all happened so fast, so I’ve been telling all my teammates who are dating players here on the LSU team to savor every memory — because I don’t know if anything really tops Omaha. It’s just so fun here.” —Olivia Dunne
Having recently completed her college gymnastics career with LSU, Dunne was limited in competitions during the 2025 season due to a knee injury that ended her season early. Since then, she has remained visible at venues like PNC Park and engaged in public opportunities such as promoting the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, where she is featured on the cover.
The Ongoing Connection Between Athletics and Personal Milestones
Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes’ presence at the College World Series not only marks a celebration of LSU’s baseball achievements but also highlights how their personal and athletic journeys intertwine. Their appearances at events like the Jell-O shot challenge and game-day celebrations strengthen the bond between the LSU community and the larger sports world.
As Skenes continues his promising career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Dunne pursues her opportunities beyond gymnastics, their joint presence at major events like the College World Series signals ongoing support and shared enthusiasm for sports and team spirit.