How good is Evan Jager in a different event?

Jager started out as a 1500m runner and moved to the steeple because his kick wasn't good enough. Pure kick isn't as important in the steeple because there's so many rhythm breaks that strength is more important. I imagine competitive 5k's would also be out for Jager again for his lack of a kick. Changing gears is a real problem for him.

He has run a 3:32.97 and a 13:02.40

This poster has a good point, but there's something that should be added.

Jager could do very well in even paced 1500m and 5000m that don't have a kick, but that is very rare nowadays even in the Diamond League circuit.

In a constant 56/62 second lap pace following good rabits... then the guy can do severe damage and break pure 5000m guys.

I mean they only caught him in Zurich because they we're getting to him in a pack and they still needed 55 second final lap. Plus the guy is probably very tired after an olympic season (I know he hasn't raced a lot but training takes his tool on him too)

Rockstar Games wrote:

training takes his tool on him too)

I know it lowers T levels but didn't know it also did this.

I think among the Americans he has the best range from 1500 to 10000, right behind Rupp.

Les wrote:

Jager started out as a 1500m runner and moved to the steeple because his kick wasn't good enough. Pure kick isn't as important in the steeple because there's so many rhythm breaks that strength is more important. I imagine competitive 5k's would also be out for Jager again for his lack of a kick. Changing gears is a real problem for him.

Hardly. His venture into the steeple had nothing to do with having/not having a kick. He has also made a world team in the 5k. Sometimes, I'm shocked at the way people talk out of their backsides here, propagating false information that less informed people accept as fact.

Carlos Danger wrote:

Les wrote:

Jager started out as a 1500m runner and moved to the steeple because his kick wasn't good enough. Pure kick isn't as important in the steeple because there's so many rhythm breaks that strength is more important. I imagine competitive 5k's would also be out for Jager again for his lack of a kick. Changing gears is a real problem for him.

Hardly. His venture into the steeple had nothing to do with having/not having a kick. He has also made a world team in the 5k. Sometimes, I'm shocked at the way people talk out of their backsides here, propagating false information that less informed people accept as fact.

He absolutely does NOT have a kick. The steeple rewards him for being such a good technician and 1500/5000 trialer. He has seldom run a 60 for the last 400m in a steeple unless it was a ridiculously slow pace (Oxy this year when several did so in only time I am aware).

I believe he would have a very hard time making the finals at the US Olympic Trials at 1500 even though he has run 3:32.

And for the record, I consider him to be our best American-born distance runner behind only Rupp.

Eight O Five wrote:

I'm a fan of this guy, but he does compete in somewhat of a niche event. Obviously this guy is a tremendous talent, but what would he be capable of in the 1500m, and the 5000m if he trained for those events?

.

All track and field events are niche events.

The fact that he finished 3rd in Zurich, traditionally one of the most important DL events of every year for decades, shows he is one of the best in the world in the 5000m.

He did that against most of the top 5k specialists in the world (Rio #2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11)

On top of that really getting after it during the race which none of those flat earth hacks dared to do. ;-)