AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn track & field sophomore and reigning NCAA Indoor 60m hurdles champion Ja’Kobe Tharp remains on the prestigious Post-NCAA Indoors Bowerman Watch List, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Thursday afternoon.
The Bowerman debuted in 2009 and is awarded to the country’s best male and female track & field athletes at the conclusion of the season. The award is named after former Oregon Head Coach Bill Bowerman. Florida’s Parker Valby and Texas’ Leo Neugebauer were last year’s recipients.
This is the fourth consecutive Bowerman Watch List Tharp has been listed on in the 2025 season. He made his debut on the watch during the 2024 outdoor season on May 16.
Recently named the USTFCCCA South Region Men’s Track Athlete of the Year, Tharp won an individual title in the 60m hurdles competing in his first NCAA Indoor Championships (7.45). He gave Auburn its first individual sprints title since U.S. Olympian Coby Miller won the 200m in 1999. Tharp broke his own program record and holds the fifth fastest time in collegiate history.
The hurdling sensation was awarded First-Team All America honors for his championship performance.
He helped the men’s team to a third-place finish at the indoor championships. It was the second consecutive team trophy on the men’s side after finishing second at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
At the SEC Indoor Championships in February, Tharp took the SEC 60m hurdles title in Bryan-College Station, Texas at the R.A. “Murray” Fasken ‘38 Indoor Track & Field facility. He broke the facility record in the process (7.48). Tharp brought home Auburn’s first gold medal in the event since Ty Akins won in 2008.
The Murfreesboro, Tennessee joins Keyshawn Strachan (2023), Akeem Bloomfield (2018), Nathon Allen (2018) and Harry Adams (2013) as the fifth Auburn man to be named to the watch list.
To view a full list of the Men’s Post-NCAA Indoor Nationals Watch List, visit here.