Jeff Porter

He continued to improve in his final year for the Ron Warhurst-coached Michigan Wolverines: he was runner-up in the 60 m hurdles at the Big Ten Indoors,[4] but won his first NCAA title two weeks later with a personal record run of 7.64 seconds.

[4] Porter competed on the European track and field circuit for the first time in 2008 and at the Golden Spike Ostrava meet he ran a personal best of 13.47 seconds, but he did not carry this form to the United States Olympic Trials, where he was eliminated in the early stages.

[6] He received his first national level honours at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships in 2010 by taking the bronze medal in the 60 m hurdles with a personal record of 7.62 seconds.

In spite of a quick start to the outdoor season – 13.45 seconds at the Osaka Grand Prix in May – he did not reach faster times in the rest of the year and was again eliminated in the rounds of the national championships.

He won the Palio Citta della Quercia meet in September and a month later he represented his country for the first time at the 2011 Pan American Games, where he took fourth place.

[11] He ran 13.26 in June to reach his first Diamond League podium at the New York's adidas Grand Prix, being beaten only by world champion Jason Richardson.

He was a surprise addition to the American Olympic squad, beating highly ranked hurdlers including David Oliver.