Jaeger Claims Silver, American Record in 1,500m Freestyle
8/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Olympics
• Michigan Olympic Updates: Men's Swimming | U-M Olympics Coverage
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Former University of Michigan men's swimmer Connor Jaeger (2011-14) won his first career Olympic medal, claiming silver and re-setting his American record in the 1,500-meter freestyle (14:39.48) on Saturday (Aug. 13) inside the Olympic Aquatic Stadium.
Jaeger, a native of Fair Haven, New Jersey, becomes the 37th athlete in program history to earn a medal at the Olympics. Additionally, he is only the third U-M swimmer to earn an Olympic medal in the longest of races, joining Chris Thompson (2000 -- bronze) and James Cristy (1932 -- bronze). Jaeger was sixth in this race four years ago in London.
Jaeger is the first American in history to break 14:40.00 in the event. He is also the first American swimmer to win an Olympic medal of any color in the 1,500-meter freestyle since Larsen Jensen won silver at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
Excluding the accomplishments of Michael Phelps (who trained at U-M but never technically swam collegiately) and the 1980 boycott, the men's swimming and diving program has produced at least one medalist for the United States at every Olympics since 1948, a streak of 17 consecutive Games.
