Jeff Porter facts for kids

Jeffrey Issack Porter (born November 27, 1985) is an American track and field athlete. He is known for competing in the 110-meter hurdles race. His fastest time in this event is 13.08 seconds. Jeffrey earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in 2012. He finished third at the Olympic Trials that year. He made the Olympic team again in 2016, also finishing third. He announced his retirement from the sport in June 2017.

Jeffrey competed for the University of Michigan in college. He won a national indoor championship in 2007 for the 60-meter hurdles. He also represented the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games. There, he placed fourth in the hurdles. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, he reached the semi-finals.

Early Life and College Sports

Jeffrey Porter was born in Summit, New Jersey. He grew up in Somerset, part of Franklin Township. He went to Franklin High School. By 2002, he was the best young hurdler in America. In 2001, he won the 110-meter hurdles at the AAU Junior Olympics.

He received a special scholarship to study at the University of Michigan. In 2004, his first year, he won a major college title. This was the Big Ten Conference title in the 60-meter hurdles. He also placed second outdoors that same year.

In 2006, Jeffrey finished second at the Big Ten Indoor meet. He then placed fourth at the NCAA Indoor Championship. He set a personal best time of 7.77 seconds. He continued to improve, winning his first Big Ten Outdoor title.

In his final year at Michigan, he became even better. He won his first NCAA title in the 60-meter hurdles. His time was a personal best of 7.64 seconds. Outdoors, he won the Big Ten title with a time of 13.70 seconds. He ran his fastest 110-meter hurdles race in college, 13.57 seconds. He made his first appearance at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Professional Hurdles Career

Jeffrey Porter started competing in Europe in 2008. He ran a personal best of 13.47 seconds at a meet in Ostrava. However, he didn't perform as well at the U.S. Olympic Trials that year. He was eliminated early. In 2010, he earned his first national medal. He won a bronze medal in the 60-meter hurdles at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships. He set a new personal best of 7.62 seconds.

In 2011, Jeffrey had a strong indoor season in Europe. He won several races and set a new best time of 7.57 seconds. He also improved his outdoor performance. He ran 13.26 seconds at the U.S. Championships. He placed fifth in the final. Later that year, he represented the U.S. at the 2011 Pan American Games. He finished fourth.

The year 2012 was very important for Jeffrey. He started with another good indoor season. He won a race in Karlsruhe, Germany, with a record time of 7.54 seconds. He then ran under 13.3 seconds for the 110-meter hurdles. His time was 13.29 seconds. His wife, Tiffany Porter, also won her hurdles race at the same event.

Jeffrey continued to improve. He ran 13.26 seconds in June, placing third at a major event in New York. He was only beaten by the world champion. His biggest achievement came at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. He ran 13.19 seconds in the semi-finals. Then, in the final, he ran a personal best of 13.08 seconds. This earned him the third spot on the U.S. Olympic team. It was a surprise, as he beat many top hurdlers.

At the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, Jeffrey once again qualified for the Olympics. He ran 13.21 seconds, finishing third. This was the same time as the second-place runner, but he was just a tiny bit slower.

Personal Life

Jeffrey Porter is married to Tiffany Porter. She is also a hurdler and competes for Great Britain. Their family follows the Catholic faith.