Olivia Dunne scores career-high 9.9 with sensational floor routine after being subbed on LAST MINUTE for LSU as Tigers book place in Regional Finals

Olivia Dunne earned a score of 9.90 despite being called upon to anchor the LSU Tigers in floor exercises on short notice.

On Thursday, the Tigers won the second round of the NCAA women’s gymnastics regionals, with a score of 197.80, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The victory secured their berth to the NCAA Regionals on Saturday.

In a contest against BYU, Oregon State and No. 15 Minnesota, Dunne replaced Kiya Johnson in the final minute to solidify a notable team performance.

“In the end we pulled Kiya not for anything in particular,” head coach Jay Clark said. “We knew the competition was close and we had to be easy on her body.”

LSU posted one of its highest scores on the track, with every gymnast scoring a 9.90 or higher. Junior Aleah Finnegan led the team with a perfect 10.

Freshmen Amari Drayton and Konnor McClain each earned 9.90. KJ Johnson followed with a 9.95. After Finnegan’s 10-point routine, Haleigh Bryant scored 9.95.

“The soil is kind of our hallmark,” Clark said. “I knew if they could finish that event, it would boost them the next day.”

The Tigers, unusually, got off to a slow start on the jump, finishing second in their first rotation. Johnson, Finnegan, Drayton and Savannah Schoenherr all started with 9.850s before Chase Brock posted LSU’s first 9.90 of the meet. Bryant anchored with a 9.925.

After their floor exercises, the Tigers moved on to the uneven bars, where Ashley Cowan led with a score of 9.90.

After the second rotation of the meet, LSU led with a score of 148.075. BYU and Oregon State placed second and third, respectively. However, they managed to hold a lead to win and advance to Saturday’s game against second-ranked Minnesota.

“I’m very happy,” Clark said. “This is all just to get here and get to the next day.”

“They came here and adapted,” Clark said. “They should be very calm when we get back here on Saturday.”