Evan Jager
Encyclopedia
Evan Jager is an American
distance
runner
. He currently competes for Nike's Oregon Track Club and is represented by KIMbia Athletics.
in Algonquin, IL, a satellite community northwest of Chicago. As a junior he placed 9th at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships
in San Diego. That same year he would lower his personal best in the mile run
to 4:08.15, winning the Midwest Distance Gala.
His senior year, he ran 8:47.59 in the 2-Mile at the Nike Outdoor Nationals, the secondary schools' National Championships, which was good for 4th place. The following day he placed 3rd in the mile competition, despite competing in the "B" heat, his time of 4:05.68 beating all but two of the entrants in the top heat.
During his High School career he won or was part of 4 State Championships.
2006, 4X800m Relay (7:40.02),
2006, 1600M (4:11.22),
2006, (Sr.year) Cross Country State Champ (3 mi) 14:07,
2007, Track 3200m (8:52.33).
HS personal Bests:
800m, (1:51.42),
Mile, (4:05.68),
2 Mile, (8:47.59).
, where he would compete for the Badgers under the charge of coach Jerry Schumacher
. He did not compete his freshman year at the NCAA Championships for Cross Country or Indoor Track
, but in the spring of 2008, Jager placed 8th at the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships
.
The summer after his freshman year, Jager represented the United States in the 2008 IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships
. He made the finals of the 1500 m
and finished 8th in 3:49.59.
That fall, Jager signed a professional contract with Nike
, forfeiting his remaining NCAA eligibility. He 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. Jager enrolled in Portland State University
to continue his studies.
in the 5000 m, where he took the lead with 200 m to go, before finishing in third place behind teammates Matt Tegenkamp
and Chris Solinsky
. By finishing third, Jager earned the opportunity to represent the United States at the 2009 IAAF World Championships
in Berlin
. At the World Championships, Jager placed 11th in his heat of the 5000 m, and did not advance to the final.
Much of Jager's first season as a professional was documented in the Runner's World web series "Wisconsin to Worlds," which followed the teammates' historic sweep at the US Championships and their European season, as they prepared for the 2009 IAAF World Championships.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
distance
Long-distance track event
Long-distance track event races require runners to balance their energy. These types of races are predominantly aerobic in nature and at the highest level, exceptional levels of aerobic endurance is required more than anything else...
runner
Running
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground...
. He currently competes for Nike's Oregon Track Club and is represented by KIMbia Athletics.
High school
Jager attended Jacobs High SchoolHarry D. Jacobs High School
Harry D. Jacobs High School is a public high school for students in grades 9 through 12 located in Algonquin, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, serving students from the west half of the Village of Algonquin and its surrounding areas, including Lake in the Hills, Gilberts, some of Sleepy Hollow, and...
in Algonquin, IL, a satellite community northwest of Chicago. As a junior he placed 9th at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships
Foot Locker Cross Country Championships
The Foot Locker Cross Country Championships are a series of annual cross country running races held in various regions of the United States to determine the premier cross country runner in various age groups, but mainly serves to find the best prep cross country athlete in the country...
in San Diego. That same year he would lower his personal best in the mile run
Mile run
The mile run is a middle-distance foot race which is among the more popular events in track running.The history of the mile run event began in England, where it was used as a distance for gambling races...
to 4:08.15, winning the Midwest Distance Gala.
His senior year, he ran 8:47.59 in the 2-Mile at the Nike Outdoor Nationals, the secondary schools' National Championships, which was good for 4th place. The following day he placed 3rd in the mile competition, despite competing in the "B" heat, his time of 4:05.68 beating all but two of the entrants in the top heat.
During his High School career he won or was part of 4 State Championships.
2006, 4X800m Relay (7:40.02),
2006, 1600M (4:11.22),
2006, (Sr.year) Cross Country State Champ (3 mi) 14:07,
2007, Track 3200m (8:52.33).
HS personal Bests:
800m, (1:51.42),
Mile, (4:05.68),
2 Mile, (8:47.59).
College
Jager chose to attend the University of Wisconsin–MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, where he would compete for the Badgers under the charge of coach Jerry Schumacher
Jerry Schumacher
Jerry Schumacher is an American coach for the sport of track and field, specializing in distance running. He has coached Olympic bronze medalist and the American women's 10k record holder Shalane Flanagan, the former men's American 10k record holder Chris Solinsky, the men's American two mile...
. He did not compete his freshman year at the NCAA Championships for Cross Country or Indoor Track
NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship
NCAA team champions for Men's Indoor Track and Field-See also:*NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship*NCAA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championship*NCAA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship*Pre-NCAA Indoor Track and Field Champions...
, but in the spring of 2008, Jager placed 8th at the NCAA Outdoor Track Championships
NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship
The NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship is an annual collegiate outdoor track and field competition for men organised by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. It has three divisions: Division I, II, and III. Athlete's individual performances earn points for their institution and...
.
The summer after his freshman year, Jager represented the United States in the 2008 IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships
IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics
The IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics are the world championships for junior aged athletes athletes, organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations. It is held biennially since 1986.-Championships:-Men:-Women:-External links:* at...
. He made the finals of the 1500 m
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
and finished 8th in 3:49.59.
That fall, Jager signed a professional contract with Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
, forfeiting his remaining NCAA eligibility. He 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. Jager enrolled in Portland State University
Portland State University
Portland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1946, it has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students. It is also the only public university in...
to continue his studies.
Professional
Jager contended his first USATF Outdoor ChampionshipUSA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
The USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships is an annual track and field competition organized by USA Track & Field, which serves as the American national championships for the sport...
in the 5000 m, where he took the lead with 200 m to go, before finishing in third place behind teammates Matt Tegenkamp
Matt Tegenkamp
Matthew Tegenkamp is a professional distance runner from Lee's Summit, Missouri. He is the American two-mile record holder, with a time of 8:07.07, set at the Prefontaine Classic in 2007....
and Chris Solinsky
Chris Solinsky
Chris Solinsky is an American distance runner. Among his more notable achievements, he won eight state championships in high school and five NCAA Division I championships at the University of Wisconsin...
. By finishing third, Jager earned the opportunity to represent the United States at the 2009 IAAF World Championships
2009 World Championships in Athletics
The 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics were held in Berlin, Germany from 15–23 August 2009. The majority of events took place in the Olympiastadion, while the marathon and racewalking events started and finished at the Brandenburg Gate....
in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. At the World Championships, Jager placed 11th in his heat of the 5000 m, and did not advance to the final.
Much of Jager's first season as a professional was documented in the Runner's World web series "Wisconsin to Worlds," which followed the teammates' historic sweep at the US Championships and their European season, as they prepared for the 2009 IAAF World Championships.
Personal bests (outdoor)
| Distance | Performance | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1500 m | 3:38.33 | July 18, 2009 |
| Mile | 3:54.35 | June 7, 2009 |
| 3000 m | 7:41.78 | July 28, 2009 |
| 5000 m | 13:22.18 | June 26, 2009 |