Algonquin’s Evan Jager Advances to Finals in Men’s 3,000-Meter Steeplechase in Rio

ALGONQUIN, IL - Evan Jager had an impressive first race at the U.S. Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, placing first in his heat and advancing to the finals on Wednesday. Jager was among three American to advance in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase. Americans Hillary Borr and Donald Cabral will also compete in the finals Wednesday.

Jager finished in first in his heat during the prelims Monday morning with a time of 8:25.86. Jager is the American record holder in the steeplechase with a time of 8:00.45.

Joel Jager, Evan’s father, told Patch in an e-mail this past week that they were headed to Rio on Friday to be with Evan and cheer him on. On Monday morning, Buffalo Wild Wings in Algonquin held a watch party to show their support for Jager.

This is Jager’s second trip to the Olympics. Jager, a 2007 graduate of Jacobs High School, competed in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase finals at the Summer Olympics in London in 2012, finishing in sixth place with a time of 8:23.87.

At that time, Jager had only competed in the men's steeplechase race seven times. Jager, who has always been a strong distance runner, seems to have found his true niche in the steeplechase.
He qualified for the Rio Olympics after finishing in first place in the 3,000-meter men’s steeplechase at the Olympic Trials earlier last month.

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