Evan Jager, a 2007 graduate of Jacobs High School, qualified Thursday for the 2012 London Olympics by taking first in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the United States Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon.

Jager won the steeplechase in a time of 8 minutes, 17.4 seconds, a new personal-best for the 23-year-old.

"I was feeling good," Jager said. "It was a hard pace right at the beginning."

Jager will run in the first round of the Olympic steeplechase on August 3 in London.

Jager's time was the best by any American in 2012.