The opening day of the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, showcased a remarkable performance by Auburn University’s men’s track and field team. The Tigers not only advanced five athletes to finals across multiple sprint events but also set a new school record in the men’s 4×100-meter relay.
The day began with the men’s 4×100-meter relay, where Auburn’s quartet—sophomore Azeemi Fahmi, freshman Kanynsola Ajayi, and sophomores Dario Matau and Makanakishe Charamba—ran the fastest qualifying time of 38.38 seconds. This performance marked the second-fastest time in school history and secured them a spot in the finals. The Tigers are aiming for their first national championship in this event, having previously finished as runners-up in 2017, 1978, and 1979 .
In the men’s 100-meter dash, Auburn had three sprinters advance to the finals. Freshman Kanynsola Ajayi, sophomore Makanakishe Charamba, and senior Favour Ashe all delivered impressive performances to secure their places in the final race. Notably, Favour Ashe, now competing for the University of Oregon, has a history of setting records, including becoming the first Nigerian sprinter to run sub-10 seconds five times in three consecutive years .
The men’s 200-meter dash also saw Auburn’s athletes excel, with multiple sprinters advancing to the finals. Their strong performances in the preliminaries set the stage for what could be a historic final in this event.Additionally, sophomore Keyshawn Strachan competed in the men’s javelin throw, finishing fifth with a throw that contributed valuable points to the team’s overall standing.
Overall, Day 1 of the championships highlighted Auburn’s depth and talent in sprinting events. The team’s strong performances not only advanced them to the finals but also set the stage for potential podium finishes in the upcoming days. With the men’s 4×100-meter relay team aiming for their first national championship and individual sprinters like Favour Ashe continuing to break records, Auburn’s men’s track and field team is poised for a memorable championship meet
