Tran Finishes as National Runner‑Up on Bars

FORT WORTH, Texas — Sophomore Aurélie Tran delivered a 9.9750 to tie for second on the uneven bars at the NCAA Championships on Thursday at Dickies Arena. The score is the highest bars mark by a Hawkeye at the NCAA meet in program history. 

“I couldn’t be more proud of Aurélie,” head coach Jen Llewellyn said. “To come into the NCAA Championships and deliver a 9.975 on this stage speaks to who she is as a competitor. She’s been building toward this moment all season, and to finish as the national runner‑up is an incredible accomplishment.” 

Tran’s second‑place finish is tied for the highest by a Hawkeye all‑time. She earned second‑team All‑America honors in both the all‑around and on bars during the regular season, and she secured her spot at the championships by posting Iowa’s first perfect 10.0 at the NCAA Regional. 

Tran finished behind Florida’s Riley McCusker, who won the event with a 9.9875. 

The sophomore earned All‑Big Ten honors and led Iowa with seven bars titles this season, including a share of the Big Ten event title (9.950). 

“This performance is huge for our program,” Llewellyn said. “It shows that we can compete with the best in the country and be right there at the top. Aurélie has set a new standard, and we’re excited for what this means moving forward.” 

The Repentigny, Quebec, native is the 12th Hawkeye in program history to qualify for the national meet and the first since Adeline Kenlin in 2022. Tran is also the first Iowa gymnast to qualify on bars since Alexis Maday in 2003.