Olympic Steeplechase Silver Medalist Expected To Return In Mile

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Evan Jager is on the accepted entries list for the mile at this weekend's Washington Indoor Invitational in Seattle. 

Just making it to the starting line would be an encouraging sign for Jager, who hasn't race since the Diamond League final in the 3,000-meter steeplechase Aug. 30, 2018. 

Jager, of the Nike Bowerman Track Club, sat out all of the 2019 season with a chronic foot injury. 

WASHINGTON INDOOR INVITATIONAL LIVE WEBCAST INFO | ACCEPTED ENTRIES

Jager reported on his social media account two weeks ago that he had practice running over hurdles for the first time since 2018. 

"Today was a good day," the post stated. 

Jager is the reigning Olympic silver medalist in the steeplechase and 2020 figures to be his comeback year. 

Jager is one of 10 Bowerman TC athletes listed on the entry list this weekend at the Dempsey facility at the University of Washington. 

The entire team has been training at altitude at Colorado Springs, Colo., and the UW Invitational will serve as a rust-busting season opener for some of the most prominent athletes on the team. 

Shelby Houlihan is entered in both the 800 meters and mile. World Championships teammate Karissa Schweizer is listed in both the mile and the 3,000 meters. 

Colleen Quigley, Kate Grace, Courtney Frerichs and Vanessa Fraser are all on the list for the women's 3,000 meters. 

Gwen Jorgensen is entered in Friday evening's 5,000 meters. Jorgensen announced last month that she aims to try and compete for an Olympic berth in the 5,000 or 10,000 meters. In 2016, she won the gold medal in the triathlon.

Among the Bowerman TC men, Jager is joined by teammate Sean McGorty in the men's mile. Marc Scott is in the 3,000 meters.

The distance races from 800 meters up are filled with high-quality lineups comprised of college and pro athletes. 

Hassan Mead and Vincent Ciattei of the OTC Elite are entered in the mile. 

OTC Elite athletes Hanna Green (mile), Chanelle Price (mile) and Sabrina Southerland (800) are also entered. 

Another runner representing OTC Elite, Kate Murphy, will race for the first time in more than two years and is entered in the mile. Murphy was a standout high school runner before injuries derailed her at the University of Oregon.

The Brooks Beasts will be represented by Karisa Nelson and Allie Buchalski in the mile. 

Niwot CO senior Cruz Culpepper, who won the high school mile last week at the New Balance Grand Prix in Boston, is also entered in the mile. Culpepper, a Washington signee, will compete unattached.

In the women's pole vault, Washington's Olivia Gruver, the NCAA leader at 15-3.50 (4.66m), faces a field that includes first-year professional Chloe Cunliffe, the high school national record holder.