finished eighth in the triple jump at the World University Games on Thursday in Gwangju, South Korea.
The four-time NCAA All-American from Jackson, Miss., jumped 52 feet, 8.75 inches (16.07m) in his third of six attempts. Dmitrii Sorokin of Russia won the event with a jump of 56-8.75 (17.29m).
“It was such an awesome experience and I thank God for the opportunity to participate in something as big as this,” said O’Neal, who was one of two triple jumpers for Team USA.
O’Neal was one of 12 to qualify for the finals after finishing fifth in the qualifying group A on Wednesday with a jump of 52-3.