Evan finished out the best season of his career in great style on Friday, placing second in the steeplechase in Brussels in 8:04.01, his fastest time of the year. Evan was just behind Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto, who capped his undefeated season with the victory in 8:03.74.
Evan and Kipruto broke free of the rest of the pack in the second kilometer. Evan ran just off Kipruto’s shoulder into the last lap. He started to come even over the last water jump, but then stumbled a bit coming out of the pit. Evan regrouped and again almost pulled even approaching the final barrier, but was unable to close the gap over the last 50 meters.
Back in March Evan said he had only two goals for the year: make the Olympic team, then medal in Rio. He accomplished both, and then some, repeating as Trials champion, followed by earning the Olympic silver medal, the best Olympic showing by an American steepler since 1952.