The Auburn Tigers track and field program has rapidly emerged as a powerhouse on the collegiate stage, staking a claim among the elite in NCAA competition. With a blend of world-class athletes, record-smashing performances, a dedicated coaching staff led by Leroy Burrell, and state‑of‑the‑art facilities at Hutsell‑Rosen Track, the Tigers are reshaping their legacy—transforming from a respected program to a national superpower.
This transformation has unfolded through a season of historic achievements. In February 2025, Auburn’s student‑athletes left a lasting imprint at the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson and the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston. Senior sprinter Makanakaishe Charamba ran an astonishing indoor 200 m in 20.16, the fastest collegiate time that season and seventh fastest ever in NCAA history, shattering Coby Miller’s school record from 2000 . Jam‑packed with school records, the weekend saw sophomore Ja’Kobe Tharp clock 7.53 in the 60 m hurdles—ranking third nationally—and freshman Israel Okon set Auburn freshman records in the 60 m dash with 6.52, the second‑fastest U20 time in the world ([auburntigers.com][2]). Pole vaulter Alyssa Quinones‑Mixon vaulted to 4.44 m, rewriting the Auburn record and placing among the nation’s elite.
These explosive performances on the track were matched on the field events. Megan Hague threw 16.41 m in shot put and Maura Huwalt took the weight throw crown at the Bob Pollock Invitational, showcasing Auburn’s depth across disciplines . Their momentum continued throughout the outdoor season, carrying into March’s Yellow Jacket Invitational and March 27–28 FSU Relays, with coach Burrell confidently stating that the team was primed for a breakout year.
As the NCAA Outdoor Championships approached in June at Eugene’s iconic Hayward Field, Auburn looked poised to deliver. The program qualified 13 athletes in 12 individual events plus two relays—maintaining streaks of 43 consecutive women’s and 36 consecutive men’s national qualifications. In the hammer throw, seniors Kyle Moison and Kyle Brown secured spots—their personal bests placing them among top contenders. Sprint power was palpable: Charamba (men’s 200 m), Dario Matau (men’s 200 m), Kayinsola Ajayi (men’s 100 m), and Israel Okon (men’s 100 m) all punched tickets to Eugene, with Ajayi’s astonishing 9.95 making him one hundredth shy of the Auburn record. The men’s 4×100 m relay, composed of Azeem Fahmi, Ajayi, Matau, and Charamba, delivered the second‑fastest qualification time and eyed their repeat title. In hurdling, Tharp clocked a blistering 13.14—breaking his own school record and ranking top nationally . Discus thrower Seth Allen, shot-putters, and women athletes including Brenda Jepchirchir, Ana‑Liese Torian, Alyssa Quinones‑Mixon, Adrienne Adams, Megan Hague, Vimbayi Maisvorewa, Ashantae Harvey, Zuriel Reed, and Deborah Oke rounded out a formidable contingent.
When the finals concluded, the Tigers roared across the podium. Eighteen athletes earned All‑America honors—a signal of the program’s depth and competitive consistency. On the men’s side, Auburn claimed fourth place nationally for the third straight year, marking their first back‑to‑back top‑five finishes outdoors since 2007–08 . Tharp claimed the national title in the 110 m hurdles with 13.05—the third‑fastest time in the world that year and fifth‑fastest in NCAA history . The 4×100 m relay team defended their championship, crossing in 38.33—holding off USC and making Auburn the first to win back‑to‑back since Houston (2017–18). Charamba tied his school record in the 200 m (19.92) and earned silver—the best Tiger finish in that event since 2000. In the 100 m, Ajayi and Okon placed fourth and seventh, respectively, powering Auburn’s continued dominance in the sprints. Field events were solid across the board: Brown’s 68.51 m hammered throw earned Second‑Team All‑America, Moison threw 66.84 m, and their marks highlighted Auburn’s rising strength in heavier disciplines.
The women shone as well. Adams broke the program record in discus with 60.55 m to finish sixth. Torian finished fourth in the 100 m hurdles (12.95), Maisvorewa placed ninth in the 400 m, and the 4×400 m relay team secured second‑team honors. Jepchirchir continued to impress, setting new records in the 10 k and 5 k (16:01.99)—becoming the first Auburn woman to compete in both at outdoor nationals since 2017. Hague, Danielle Quinones‑Mixon, and others earned placements, contributing to a total national trophy haul. Each athlete’s success spoke to a culture of excellence and rigorous development.
Beyond accolades and records, Auburn’s rise is no accident. The renovation of Hutsell‑Rosen Track into one of only five IAAF Class‑1 certified facilities in the U.S. provided a championship-caliber home venue. Leadership under head coach Leroy Burrell—an Olympic gold medalist and former world record-holder—has fostered an athlete-centric environment that blends technical refinement, mental resilience, and elite competition preparation. Assistant coaches like Lacena Golding‑Clarke, whose track credentials include mentoring world-class hurdlers like Tobi Amusan, add focused expertise to sprinters and hurdlers.
Athlete recruitment has been strategic and diverse, balancing returners and up‑and‑comers. The 4×100 m relay squad exemplifies this: Charamba (senior), Matau (junior), Fahmi (sophomore), and Ajayi (freshman) combined maturity and burgeoning talent to hold NCAA dominance together. Underclassmen filled key roles: Ja’Kobe Tharp (sophomore national champion), Israel Okon (freshman sprint record breaker), Quinones‑Mixon (junior record setter), and Brenda Jepchirchir (freshman distance standout). Auburn didn’t just win races—they built a pipeline that ensures sustained performance.
The ripple effect of these results extends beyond the track. A strong season elevates Auburn’s recruiting credibility—prospective athletes recognize Auburn not just as a competitor but as an incubator of champions. Media attention and athletics funding often flow to rising programs, reinforcing Auburn’s capacity to invest in facilities, scholarships, and support services.
In the classroom, student‑athletes maintained strong academic performance—a ripple of excellence often carried by athletics departments with rising success. While specific GPAs aren’t disclosed, literature on national‑ranking non‑revenue programs underscores a trend: athletic rigor and scholastic achievement frequently go hand in hand.
Negative noise? Virtually none. Auburn’s march upward is rooted in performance and strategic investment, not controversy or program overhaul. No wave of mass transfers or scandals distract. Instead, there is clear messaging: this is sustained success born from planning, not chance.
As Auburn looks forward, the signs point to continued growth. The core 4×100 m relay squad returns together for another national title run. Ja’Kobe Tharp continues setting precedent as a hurdles dynast. Underclassmen like Okon, Matau, Quinones‑Mixon, Jepchirchir, Maisvorewa, Hague, and Torian have room to grow heading into 2026. With Hutsell‑Rosen hosting SEC and potentially NCAA Championships, Auburn’s home advantage aligns rhythmically with its strategic ambitions.
Remembering program legacy, wins of this magnitude were rare: back‑to‑back national relay titles hadn’t been seen since 2006 or ’76. Then, Cory Martin’s dual titles and Harvey Glance’s sprint dominance were flashes on Auburn’s historical radar; today’s Tigers are rewriting that history in real-time.
In closing, Auburn Tigers track and field is no longer just competitive—it’s transformational. Building upon a foundation of record-breaking athletes, strategic coaching, elite facilities, and recruitment acumen, Auburn stands tall in NCAA athletics. As War Eagle echoes through Hutsell‑Rosen and national venues alike, the Tigers are more than contenders—they are national track and field royalty, and the roar is only beginning.
