LSU gymnast and internet sensation Olivia Dunne has finally shared the story of how she met Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes-and it started with a simple observation from the dugout.
“I saw him in the dugout and I thought he was cute,” Dunne admitted during an interview on ESPN.
Despite their shared time at LSU, the gymnast explained that she had never actually watched Skenes pitch live due to overlapping competition schedules. “I could never actually watch him pitch because he would pitch on Friday nights and that’s when we were competing, so I had no clue what he was capable of at the time. I saw him in the fall.”
Thanks to mutual friends, the two connected, and a relationship soon blossomed. “I had friends introduce us and we started dating,” she added.
A relationship rooted in LSU pride and mutual success
Dunne, one of the most followed athletes on social media with nearly 13 million fans, has grown into a major sports influencer, especially after helping lead LSU to the 2024 NCAA gymnastics national championship. Skenes, a star pitcher at LSU, was selected first overall in the MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates and quickly earned All-Star and Rookie of the Year honors.
Their bond, which began at LSU, has only grown stronger as they’ve transitioned into the spotlight of professional athletics. Whether cheering each other on from the stands or taking time to unwind together, Dunne and Skenes continue to support each other on and off the field.
Earlier this year, Dunne was on hand in Miami for Paul Skenes‘ Opening Day start with the Pirates.
She wasn’t alone-Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman and DJ Xandra Pohl also came out to support Skenes as he struck out seven over five and one-third innings. Despite the Pirates‘ narrow 5-4 loss to the Marlins, the moment underscored the tight support system surrounding the rookie pitcher.
Before the season began, the couple enjoyed a brief vacation in Siesta Key, Florida. Dunne shared candid photos on Instagram, including a beach selfie and a lighthearted post of the two enjoying the ocean-an earned break for Skenes before returning to the grind of the MLB season.
Dunne also made headlines this year for her appearance as Grand Marshal at the Krewe of Endymion parade during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. She embraced the celebration with her usual flair, donning a glamorous outfit and sharing moments from the event with her millions of followers.
Together, Dunne and Skenes continue to balance their high-profile careers with a relationship that fans find both inspiring and endearing.
With each public appearance, they solidify their status as one of sports’ newest power couples-proving that sometimes, the best partnerships are born in the most unexpected places.
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