Auburn Men’s Track & Field takes home the runner-up trophy and wins first in the 4×100 relay
Auburn Track & Field
At the NCAA Track & Field Championships, the Auburn Men’s Team took home first place in the 4×100 relay and then second place overall as a team.
“The guys showed up bigtime. I told them we had an opportunity and on the first day they created an opportunity for us to win,” Auburn second-year head coach Leroy Burrell said. “We took a heck of a swing at it and fell just a little short, but I couldn’t be more grateful and excited for this program and its future. We were so close in a few races and if any of those flip a place, we are celebrating a national title.”
Auburn finished the meet with 40 overall team points which was just one behind National Champion Florida. The Tigers lead the team standings by five points heading into the final event which was the 4×400 relay. Florida went on to finish 3rd in the relay which earned them six points to take first place.
“Two years ago this week I was offered the job to come to Auburn and I would have never thought that two years later we would be fighting for a national championship,” Burrell said. “I’m grateful for that opportunity and grateful for the athletics administration at Auburn and President Dr. Roberts. We have a great group of Auburn men, a great staff and great group of coaches. We will be back.”
The Tigers 4×100 relay win was their first ever relay national title. The foursome of Azeem Fahmi, Kanyinsola Ajayi, Dario Matau and Makanakishe Charamba finished with a time of 38.03. True freshman Ja’Kobe Tharp, won the silver medal in the 110m hurdles with a time of 13.20. Tharp became the first Auburn freshman to finish second or better at the outdoor championships since Nathon Allen was runner up in the 400m seven years ago.
(Information from Auburn University)
