Auburn track and field athlete Ja’Kobe Tharp etched his name in the history books on Thursday.
The junior from Murfreesboro, Tenn., broke the world record in the 110-meter hurdles with a 12.75 in the semifinal round of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field.
He became the first individual in 50 years – since Dwight Stone – to break a world record at the national championships.
“I’m speechless. I didn’t mean to,” Tharp said. “I knew going into this meet I would be in really good shape because we started deloading to hit my peak into this meet. It was about executing and doing it. I’m always only focused on me. I knew what I was capable of. I knew I had something faster than 13.0 in my legs.”
Tharp's performance highlighted a historic day for Auburn at the event, as its men’s 4x100-meter relay squad broke a collegiate record with a 37.75. The record was previously held by LSU, which ran a 37.90 in 2023.
Auburn now owns four of the 10 fastest collegiate times ever in the event.
The quartet of Azeemi Fahmi, Kayinsola Ajayi, Austin Kresley and Tyler Davis will aim for the Tigers' third straight national title in the event on Friday.
Auburn’s Israel Okon also became the first Auburn athlete since 2012 to advance to the final at the event in both the 100m and 200m races.
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