Evan Jager turned heads in the distance-running world on Wednesday, posting the best finish for the United States in the men’s steeplechase since 1952 with a silver medal run at the 2016 Olympics.
“It was a lot of years of hard work and daydreaming and dreaming about this moment with all of it coming true,” Jager said. “Being able to truly enjoy the moment and those emotions and experiences. I was completely calm, I didn’t know I had a medal wrapped up, basically in my head until I had 100 meters to go and as soon as I got over the last barrier I could enjoy it. That was very fun.”
Jager, who is coached by former UW men’s cross country coach Jerry Schumacher and former Badger Pascal Dobert, crossed the line in 8:04.51 to take home the first medal for the United States in this event sInce Brian Diemer earned bronze in 1984.
Sandwiched between two Kenyans, Conseslus Kipruto, who won gold, and Ezekiel Kemboi, who took home the bronze, Jager said he understood the significance of his feat.
“I know the history of the sport, especially in the U.S., and I know how dominant Kenya has been in the last 20 or 30 years,” Jager said.
Jager is the first former UW track and field athlete to earn a medal since Lloyd LaBeach won bronze in the 100 meters in 1948. In addition, the Algonquin, Illinois, native is the first Badger to earn an individual Olympic medal since Andy Rein, a wrestler, earned silver in 1984.
