Olivia Dunne, girlfriend of Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, took a moment to reminisce about her childhood gymnastics days while Skenes prepares for his upcoming season. The athlete, who earned the Cy Young Award last year, is entering his third year with the Pirates, and Dunne marked the offseason with a nostalgic glimpse of her past.
A Glimpse into Dunne’s Youth Through Social Media
Dunne, known for her time with the LSU Tigers gymnastics team, posted a TikTok featuring old photos from her childhood, including images of her wearing braces. This montage offered fans a rare look back at her early years before she became a household name in gymnastics.
“Remember what you looked like on your recruiting trip,” Dunne wrote on her montage video.
Lighthearted Practice Session Highlights Trust Between Dunne and Skenes
Aside from supporting Skenes from the stands at PNC Park, Dunne also engaged directly with him during the offseason. In a bullpen session, she stood in the batter’s box facing Skenes’ pitches but did not attempt to hit any. Her playful participation demonstrated the trust and connection they share.
“The ultimate test of trust,” Dunne captioned her story with a video of the practice session.
“Pure fright,” she captioned another story as she stood helpless in the batters box.
The Couple’s LSU Roots and Ongoing Support
Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne first met while attending LSU, forging a bond that has lasted through their athletic careers. Dunne has remained a constant presence at Pirates games, showing her unwavering support as Skenes continues to build on his successful baseball journey.
The Significance of Their Shared Athletic Background
This glimpse into Olivia Dunne’s past and her interactions with Paul Skenes highlight the strong foundation they built during their time at LSU. As Skenes heads into another season following an award-winning year, Dunne’s continued encouragement and unique connection to sports enrich their shared story, offering fans a genuine look at their partnership both on and off the field.
Livvy Dunne took batting practice with Paul Skenes 😂
(via @livvydunne) pic.twitter.com/YNELN6hwr4
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 1, 2026
