AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn track & field sprints sensation sophomore Ja’Kobe Tharp remains on the prestigious Pre-Indoor Nationals Bowerman Watch List, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Thursday afternoon.
This is the third consecutive Bowerman Watch List Tharp has been listed on in the 2025 season. He debuted on the list during his outdoor campaign on May 16.
Last weekend, Tharp competed in his first SEC Indoor Championships at the R.A. “Murray” Fasken ‘38 Indoor Track & Field facility in Bryan-College Station, Texas. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native broke his own record in the 60m hurdles to take the SEC title (7.48). Tharp posted to eighth fastest collegiate time ever and broke the facility record in the process.
He brought home Auburn’s first gold in the event since Ty Akins won in 2008.
Tharp helped the men to a sixth-place finish with 47 points, the highest team finish since 2013 and the most points scored since 2011.
Heading into the NCAA Indoor Championships, Tharp is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation (7.48).
Tharp is the fifth Auburn man to be named to the watch list, joining Keyshawn Strachan (2023), Akeem Bloomfield (2018), Nathon Allen (2018) and Harry Adams (2013).
The Bowerman debuted in 2009 is named after former Oregon Head Coach Bill Bowerman. At the conclusion of the season, the award is given to the country’s best male and female track and field athletes. Last year’s winners were Parker Valby of Florida and Leo Neugebauer of Texas.
To view a full list of the Men’s Pre-NCAA Indoor Championships Watch List, visit here.
Up Next
Tharp and the Tigers will return to action next Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Virginia Beach, Virginia at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.