Auburn’s Ja’Kobe Tharp rewrote the record books in the 110-meter hurdles, setting a new world record at 12.75 seconds. Auburn also produced a collegiate-best in the 4×100 relay, while BYU’s Ben Barton took the early decathlon lead and Nebraska jumped ahead in
When Day 1 closed, the track didn’t just feel fast—it felt like it had crossed into a new standard. Auburn’s Ja’Kobe Tharp delivered the moment everyone will measure everything against.
Tharp set a new world record in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 12.75 seconds. It was the first men’s world record set at the NCAA championships since Dwight Stone did so in the long jump in 1976. Tharp’s run surpassed Aries Merrit’s 12.80 seconds set in 2012. and it also cleared Grant Holloway’s 12.98-second collegiate record set in 2019.
Auburn followed that with another headline-worthy performance in the relay rounds. In the heats. the Tigers’ 4×100 meter relay quartet—Azeem Fahmi. Kayinsola Ajayi. Austin Kresley. and Tyler Davis—set a collegiate record. Auburn finished in 37.75 seconds in heat two of the semifinal round, breaking LSU’s previous record of 37.90 set in 2023.
The day didn’t end with records alone. Six individual champions were crowned on Day 1, with full results available through event links.
In the decathlon, the early lead belonged to BYU’s Ben Barton after six events. Barton finished first in the 100 meters (10.65 seconds), the high jump (2.13 meters), and the 400 meters (47.25 seconds). He also added a third-place finish in the long jump (7.40 meters), giving him 4,414 points to top the standings.
The decathlon continues Thursday, starting with the 110 meter hurdles at 1:45 p.m. ET / 10:45 a.m. PT. Thursday’s schedule also includes the discus, pole vault, javelin, and 1,500 meters.
Team scoring had its own momentum shift after six events. Nebraska led all teams with 28 total points. The Cornhuskers collected 10 points from Dyson Wicker’s first-place finish in the high jump. 12 points from Keyshawn Strachan’s shot put. and eight points from Keyshawn Strachan’s runner-up effort in the javelin.
It’s still early enough that the standings can swing. There are 15 events left to be scored, including all but one track event, meaning what looks dominant right now can change quickly over the next couple of days.
2026 DI outdoor track and field championships Ja'Kobe Tharp 110-meter hurdles world record Auburn 4×100 collegiate record Ben Barton decathlon Nebraska team scores