Auburn junior hurdler Ja’Kobe Tharp and assistant head coach Ken Harnden were recognized with South Regional Indoor awards by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on March 19.
The recognition highlights achievements in collegiate track and field, with both individuals contributing to Auburn’s recent successes during the indoor season.
Tharp was named the South Regional Male Runner of the Year. This marks his third time receiving USTFCCCA South Regional honors. Tharp, from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, won his third NCAA individual title by finishing first in the men’s 60-meter hurdles with a collegiate and meet record time of 7.32 seconds. The performance made him the second fastest American ever and third fastest globally in that event. Tharp is also the SEC Indoor Champion and previously won the 2024 NCAA outdoor and 2025 NCAA indoor titles.
Harnden received his fourth South Regional Assistant Coach of the Year award at Auburn. He coached both Tharp and teammate Kayinsola Ajayi to SEC and NCAA indoor titles this past season, with both athletes setting collegiate and NCAA indoor meet records last week in their respective events. Ajayi took gold in the men’s 60-meter dash as Auburn finished tied for fourth in team standings, earning all 24 points from Harnden’s sprint squad.
The awards reflect continued excellence within Auburn’s track program as it prepares for future competitions.
