The performance left the runner processing the magnitude of his achievement while keeping his immediate focus locked on the upcoming championship final.
"I just wanted to show everybody that I'm here. And I'm here to stay," said Tharp.
Tharp emphasized that his mindset remains unchanged despite the record-breaking run, as he seeks to secure the collegiate title for his team.
"Because if you rush, it'll push you on to the next one and the next one, a snowball effect," said Tharp.
The victory adds to a collegiate career that includes a sophomore indoor 60-meter hurdle title and a sixth-place finish at the world championships.
"You'll end up with them all in your face," said Tharp.
The track star noted that he expected to break the 13-second barrier rather than surpass the long-standing global mark during the preliminary round.
"Whoa," said Tharp.
Tharp maintained that he must complete the final race of the competition before he can fully appreciate the global record.
"Those hurdles are coming up pretty fast," said Tharp.
The Auburn track program enjoyed a dominant opening session, which included a collegiate record of 37.75 seconds in the 4x100 relay heats.
"I mean, I'm still at a loss for words," said Tharp.
The athletic progression of the hurdler has been evident to his coaches and teammates since his arrival at the university program in 2024.
"Nothing has changed," said Tharp.
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The record-breaking performance directly contributed to Auburn's strong position in the overall national team title race.
