AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn track & field sophomore Ja’Kobe Tharp returns to the prestigious Bowerman Watch List, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA) Thursday afternoon.
The Auburn hurdler was named to the preseason watch list to open the 2025 indoor season on Jan. 9. Thap made his debut on the watch list during his 2024 outdoor campaign on May 16.
Tharp has competed in one meet so far this season at the Orange & Purple Invitational. Competing in the 60m hurdles, Tharp ran the fastest time of the day in the preliminary round of the event (7.60). His personal best time ranks sixth in the NCAA and first in the SEC.
His time is second on Auburn’s Top 10 list, just a tenth of a second off Shamar Sands’ school record (7.59).
As the fifth Auburn man to be named to the watch list, Tharp joins Harry Adams (2013), Nathon Allen (2018), Akeem Bloomfield (2018) and Keyshawn Strachan (2023).
The Bowerman is named after former Oregon Head Coach Bill Bowerman and is presented to the most outstanding male and female track & field athlete in the nation at the end of the season. Florida’s Parker Valby and Texas’ Leo Neugebauer were last year’s winners.
To view a full list of the watch list, visit here.
Up Next
Tharp and the Tigers will be back in action for the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson, South Carolina Feb.14-15.