CLAREMONT, Calif. —   Bates junior David Pless placed third in the discus throw on Thrusday, his first of three events at the three-day NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, held at Fritz Burns Stadium at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

Pless gained his fifth career All-America honor for his bronze medal performance, outperforming his No. 5 seeding in the event with a top mark of 173-11 tossed on his second effort of the day.

The six team points Pless scored for Bates put the Bobcats in a tie for seventh place, with two days and four eents to go at the NCAAs. Pless competes in the hammer throw on Friday.

Bates rowing reaches Grand Finals

WEST WINDSOR, N.J. —   The No. 2 nationally ranked Bates women’s rowing team won both of its preliminary heats on Friday morning to open its sixth straight appearance int he NCAA Disvion III Women’s Rowing Championships.

The Bobcats’ first varsity eight, opened things up Friday morning by outpacing boats from William Smith, Marietta and Trinity. Bates finished the 2,000 meter course at Lake Mercer in 7:02.55.

The win allowed Bates to skip Friday afternoon’s repechage and move on to Saturday’s Grand Final, where they will face, among four other boats, the other preliminary heat winner, Williams.

Bates second varsity eight advanced straight to the Grand Final, finishing in 7:16.44 to beat out Trinity and Marietta for the bye. They will face Williams and one yet to be determined boat.