Bouncy Moore facts for kids

James E. "Bouncy" Moore (born June 4, 1951) is a retired American track and field athlete. He was famous for his amazing long jump skills, which is how he got his nickname "Bouncy"! He was a two-time winner of the National Championship in the United States. He also won a silver medal at the 1971 Pan American Games.

College Success

James Moore was a star athlete at the University of Oregon. In 1970, he placed second in the long jump at the NCAA Championships. His points helped the University of Oregon tie for the national championship that year. They shared the title with BYU and Kansas.

Becoming a Champion

The next year, in 1971, James Moore became the NCAA Champion in the long jump. This was a huge achievement for him! Also in 1971, he was chosen to be part of the American team. They competed in a special event called the USA vs Africa series.

Early Days and Rivalries

Before going to the University of Oregon, James Moore competed for San Diego High School. In 1968, he finished third at the important CIF California State Meet.

Friendly Competition

James Moore had a friendly rival named Arnie Robinson. Arnie went to Morse High School, which was close by. These two athletes often competed against each other. For example, when Moore was second at the 1970 NCAA Championships, Robinson won first place. Robinson also won the gold medal at the 1971 Pan American Games. However, when Moore won the NCAA title in 1971, Robinson finished fourth.

Overcoming Challenges

In 1972, James Moore faced a challenge when he got injured. Even though he made it to the finals of the NCAA Championships, his injuries made it hard for him to compete his best. This also meant he couldn't try for the 1972 Olympics. His rival, Arnie Robinson, went on to win a bronze medal at those Olympics. Robinson later won the gold medal at the 1976 Olympics.

Career Best

James Moore's best long jump ever was 8.20 m (26 ft 10.70964567 in) meters. He achieved this amazing jump at the Modesto Relays in 1974.