36 Facts About Evan Jager

Evan Reese Jager was born on March 8,1989 and is an American middle- and long-distance runner who specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase.

Evan Jager is sponsored by Nike and is coached by Jerry Schumacher of the Bowerman Track Club.

Evan Jager attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he competed for the Wisconsin Badgers and was coached by Schumacher.

Evan Jager did not compete as a freshman at the 2007 NCAA Championships for Cross Country, and was NCAA Division 1 All-American in the DMR at 2008 Indoor Track, but in 2008, Jager placed 8th in the 1500 metres at the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Track Championships.

Evan Jager made the finals of the 1500 metres and placed 8th with 3:49.59.

That fall, Evan Jager signed a professional contract with Nike, forfeiting his remaining NCAA eligibility.

Evan Jager left the University of Wisconsin and moved to Portland to continue training with Schumacher, who had been hired by Nike to be a full-time coach to professional Nike-sponsored runners.

Evan Jager enrolled in Portland State University to continue his studies.

Evan Jager competed at his first USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 5000 m, where he took the lead with 200 m to go before placing third behind his teammates Matt Tegenkamp and Chris Solinsky.

At the World Championships, Evan Jager placed 11th in his heat of the 5000 m and did not advance to the final.

In early 2010, Evan Jager experienced pain in his foot during training runs.

Evan Jager did not do any serious running workouts until March 2011, with the remainder of that track season being an essential, gradual return to high level training rather than a season of competitive racing.

Evan Jager won that race in 8:26.14, a stunning time for a neophyte and close to the 8:23.1 Olympic A standard necessary for participation in the London Games.

Evan Jager followed through on this auspicious performance by comfortably winning the 2012 US Olympic Team Trials 3000 m steeplechase in 8:17.40.

On July 20,2012, Evan Jager broke the American record in the 3000 m steeplechase, running 8:06.81.

Evan Jager kicked off the 2013 indoor season at the Millrose Games two-mile, where he finished fourth in 8:14.95 to winner Bernard Lagat, who set the American record in that race.

Evan Jager was fifth in the New York Columbia Qualifier 5000 m, where he finished in a time of 13:33.37.

Evan Jager raced sparingly during the outdoor season before the US Championships.

Evan Jager ran 13:14.60 which was good for 2nd to Saucony's Ben True at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational.

Evan Jager placed second in the Oxy HP 1500 m in 3:36.34.

Evan Jager followed up these personal record performances with an easy win at the USATF Outdoor Championships 3000 m steeplechase, where he finished in 8:20.67, giving him the opportunity to represent the USA at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow for the second time, and winning him his second consecutive 3000 m steeplechase national title.

Evan Jager went into Worlds wanting to improve on his 6th place in the London Olympics.

Evan Jager won his qualifying round of the Steeplechase in Moscow in what seemed to be an easy effort.

Evan Jager went on to place fifth in the final, getting out-leaned by Kenya's Paul Koech.

Only a few weeks later in Oslo, Evan Jager was less than 2 tenths of a second off of breaking his own American 3000 m steeplechase record of 8:06.8 by running an 8:06.97.

On June 29,2014 Evan Jager won the USA 3,000 Meters Steeplechase Title by running 8:19.83.

On June 27, Evan Jager won the steeplechase at the 2015 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 95 degree temperature in Eugene, Oregon.

On July 4, Evan Jager lowered the American Record in the steeplechase to 8:00.45 in 2015 Paris Meeting Areva Diamond League, despite falling over the final barrier.

Evan Jager won steeplechase in a time of 8:22.48 at the 2016 United States Olympic Trials ahead of teammates Hillary Bor and Donn Cabral to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

At the 2017 World Championships in London on August 8,2017, Evan Jager placed 3rd in the 3000 m Steeplechase in a time of 8:15.53.

The race started out slow for the first kilometer in 2:51.81, then soon after Evan Jager took the lead and held on to it, until 300 m remaining where he was passed, first by Conseslus Kipruto and then Soufiane El Bakkali.

Evan Jager managed to hold on for third with Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad close behind.

Evan Jager suffered a stress fracture in 2018, and was unsure whether he would ever return to elite competition.

However, five years after his last world championships appearance, Evan Jager returned to international competition, placing sixth in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2022 World Athletics Championships held in Eugene, Oregon.

Evan Jager ran only four races in 2023, as he sat out most of the outdoor season due to a foot injury.

Evan Jager placed fourth, one spot out of Olympic qualification.