Former Burges long jumper takes home bronze at NCAA Championships

EUGENE, Oregon – He was the best triple jumper coming out of high school, but on Wednesday, Burges alum KeAndre Bates proved he’s a pretty good long jumper as well.

Bates, who now competes for the University of Florida, placed third in the long jump finals at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Bates posted a mark of 25-feet, 8-inches on his first of six jumps. That ended up being good enough for the bronze.

Jarrion Lawson of Arkansas took home the gold with a jump just over 26-feet, 8-inches.

Bates will have a chance to take home the gold in the triple jump on Friday.

He’ll be competing against Franklin alum Felix Obi, who now jumps for Baylor.

Bates is also expected to compete in the Olympic Trials later this month.