Evan Jager
Evan Reese Jager (born March 8, 1989) is an American middle- and long-distance runner who specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase. In his speciality event, he won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze at the 2017 World Championships. Jager is the current NACAC area record holder in the event with a time of 8:00.45. He is sponsored by Nike and is coached by Jerry Schumacher in the Bowerman Track Club.
Jager at the 2016 US Olympic Trials | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Evan Reese Jager | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | March 8, 1989 Algonquin, Illinois, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Track and field | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event | 3000 metres steeplechase | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College team | Wisconsin Badgers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Bowerman Track Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turned pro | Sep. 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Jerry Schumacher | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympic finals | 2012 London 3000 m st., 6th 2016 Rio de Janeiro 3000 m st., Silver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World finals |
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| Personal bests | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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After just one year at the University of Wisconsin, Jager turned professional, relocating to Portland. He qualified for his first world championships in 2009, competing in the 5000 m. In 2012, he debuted in what would become his specialty event, the 3000 m steeplechase. In just his first year in the event he would win the US Olympic Trials, break the American record, and finish 6th at the London Olympics.
After missing the podium at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships, finishing fifth and sixth, Jager won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics and followed it up with a bronze at the 2017 World Championships. From 2018 to 2021, he struggled to stay healthy, but returned to form with a sixth place finish at the 2022 World Championships.