Retirement, it seems, might not be permanent. Livvy Dunnestirred speculation this week after posting – and then deleting – a short Instagram clip of herself training in LSU gear.
The 23-year-old, who stepped away from collegiate gymnastics last year, captioned the video with a playful line: “12th year senior.”
The footage was brief, but it was enough to ignite her 5.3 million followers. Comments flooded in almost immediately. “Comeback of the century,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Cool scenes.” A third simply posted: “Awesome post.”
For Dunne, whose profile has only grown since leaving competition, even a lighthearted training clip carries weight.
She rose to national prominence competing for the LSU Tigers beginning in 2021, ultimately spending four seasons with the program. In 2024, she helped LSU capture the NCAA Championship – a crowning moment that capped her collegiate career. Soon after, she announced her retirement from competitive gymnastics.
Since then, Dunne has leaned into modeling and media opportunities, expanding a brand that was already one of the most lucrative in college athletics during the NIL era.
A new chapter – but not far from the old one
Dunne’s post-college résumé has grown quickly. She became a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model and most recently made her Maxim cover debut for the magazine’s winter edition. Her modeling portfolio has multiplied, turning her into one of the most recognizable former college athletes in the country.
At the same time, she has remained closely connected to LSU – and to the sports world more broadly – through her relationship with Paul Skenes.
Skenes, now the ace of the Pittsburgh Pirates, has rapidly become one of baseball’s brightest young stars. Since debuting in 2024, he has been named a two-time All-Star (2024 and 2025) and made history by winning Rookie of the Year in his debut season followed by a Cy Young Award the next year – the first pitcher to accomplish that feat since the mid-1980s.
Dunne has been a visible presence throughout Skenes’ rise, frequently attending games and major award ceremonies, including the recent Baseball Writers’ Association of America awards dinner in New York. While Skenes collected hardware on stage, Dunne drew attention of her own on the red carpet.
Yet despite her growing modeling career and high-profile appearances, the Instagram training clip suggests gymnastics still holds a place in her life. Whether the workout was simply a nostalgic session at LSU’s facilities or something more intentional remains unclear.
Dunne has not formally announced any plans to return to competition, and NCAA eligibility rules would make such a comeback complicated. Still, the phrase “12th year senior” – delivered jokingly – left just enough ambiguity to fuel speculation.
For LSU fans, the idea of a return is tantalizing. For Dunne, it could simply reflect the reality that elite athletes rarely stop training entirely.
What’s certain is that Dunne understands the power of timing – and of a well-placed post.
Whether it was a playful nod to her roots or a subtle hint at unfinished business, the message resonated. In the era of athlete-influencers, even a short clip can reopen a chapter people thought had closed.
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