A local product from Gahanna, hurdler Austin Curbow blossomed into a dominant force at Otterbein to make routine appearances on the national stage – both as an athlete and then a coach.

Curbow went out for track in seventh grade and began making a real name for himself during high school, earning all-state honors six times under legendary coach Ed Rarey – ironically an Otterbein Hall of Famer himself. Gahanna Lincoln finished Top 10 in Ohio (as a team) on two occasions with Curbow and later won a state title the year after he graduated.

Austin received interest from a number of major Division I schools but did not meet some NCAA Clearinghouse standards, instead landing at Otterbein through guidance from Rarey. Nevertheless, a very decorated college career was still on the horizon.

Through a bond with hurdles coach Scott McCleary, Curbow further developed a bulldog mindset that routinely gave him a mental/psychological edge on the track. He would become a seven-time OAC champion, five-time NCAA qualifier and three-time All-American (60-meter hurdles) by the time it was said and done – finishing eighth, fourth and third on the national indoor podium and Top 10 twice on the outdoor stage. He unfortunately missed indoor nationals as a sophomore due to injury.

Curbow still holds Otterbein records in the 55-meter hurdles (7.53) and 60-meter hurdles (7.98), while also ranking top five in the 110’s… resting only behind three-time national champ Roger Retherford at the time of graduation. His remarkable 7.98 in the 60-meter hurdles kept him on the historical Division III Top-10 List for over a decade and remains not just a conference record, but also the fastest time ever by a D3 runner in the state of Ohio. He was only defeated twice in four years by an OAC competitor, and just eight times overall in a college uniform.

Curbow’s impact on the track and field program didn’t end as a student-athlete, as he initially came aboard as a graduate assistant and remained on staff for the next decade from 2013-22. The Health Promotion and Fitness major, who matured greatly as a student, delivered a 3.30 GPA as an undergrad before a 3.40 to garner his master’s degree.

As a coach, Curbow was responsible for developing more than 100 All-OAC performers, 20 conference champions (including relays), five national qualifiers (many earning repeat trips) and three NCAA All-Americans in Brandon Shade, Mike Rennette and Cwinn Febus. With Curbow’s guidance, that standout trio all surpassed their mentor in the record books of the 110 hurdles.

Curbow and his athletes now represent more than half of Otterbein Top-10 lists in the hurdles and relays. He was on staff for two OAC Championships with the women’s team, along with multiple All-Ohio crowns from both sides.

Austin, now married to his wife (Taylor), also went on to enjoy a successful career in personal training.