Kenneth Rooks

Last updated

Kenneth Rooks
Kenneth Rooks 2023 (cropped).jpg
Rooks competing in the heats of the 3000 m steeplechase at the 2023 World Championships
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (1999-10-21) October 21, 1999 (age 24)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Sport
Sport Athletics
Event 3000 m steeplechase
College team BYU Cougars
Club Nike, [1] Run Elite [2]
Turned proJanuary 2024
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s) 3000 m steeplechase : 8:06.41 (Paris Olympics, 2024)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2024 Paris 3000 m steeplechase

Kenneth Rooks (born October 21, 1999) is an American track and field athlete. Originally from College Place, Washington, [3] Rooks competed in college for the BYU Cougars. He won a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in the 3000 m steeplechase.

Contents

Early life

Rooks attended College Place High School in College Place, Washington. [4] He won multiple state titles in cross country and track, and he recorded personal bests of 1:53.56 for 800 m, 4:11.40 for one mile, and 9:20.86 for 3200 m. [5] During his first two years of college at Brigham Young University, Rooks did not participate in athletics due to his time spent in Kampala, Uganda as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [6]

College career

On May 6, 2023, Rooks recorded a new personal best in the 3000 m steeplechase, running 8:17.62 in Walnut, California; at the time, it was the fastest-ever time by an American collegiate athlete. [7] It also broke a 46-year-old school record set by Henry Marsh. [8]

In June 2023, Rooks won the 2023 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships title in the 3000 m steeplechase, at the event held in Austin, Texas. [9] His winning time of 8:26.17 was a new stadium record. [10]

Senior career

2023

Competing at the 2023 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, in Eugene, Oregon, Rooks finished first in the final of the 3000 m steeplechase. [11] The victory came despite Rooks falling during the race and having to work himself back to the front. [12] Rooks said he mentally prepared for how he would react if he fell during a race and took inspiration from former national champion Henry Marsh, who would often race from the back of the field. [13] Rooks was selected for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest in August 2023, in which he finished tenth in the final. [14] [15]

2024: Olympic silver medalist

Rooks announced his decision to compete professionally for Nike in January 2024. [16]

At the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in June, Rooks made it through the heats and won the 3000 m steeplechase final in a time of 8:21.92, securing his spot on Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics. [17]

At the Olympic Games, Rooks' first, he made it into the final of the 3000 m steeplechase and won the silver medal in a new personal best time of 8:06.41. Rooks stayed back for much of the race, but after gradually moving up on the pack, he surged to the lead in the bell lap. During the final jump on the back straightaway, world record holder Lamecha Girma fell, causing several other athletes to stumble. In the final curve, after the last water jump, Rooks was passed by defending Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco, while Kenyan Abraham Kibiwot caught up to Rooks at the final jump. However, Rooks kicked, and he edged Kibiwot at the finish line to earn the silver medal while improving his personal best by nine seconds. [18] [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3000 metres steeplechase</span> Most common distance for the steeplechase in track and field

The 3000 metres steeplechase or 3000-meter steeplechase is the most common distance for the steeplechase in track and field. It is an obstacle race over the distance of the 3000 metres, which derives its name from the horse racing steeplechase.

Henry Dinwoodey Marsh is a retired runner from the United States, who made four U.S. Olympic teams and represented his native country in the men's 3,000 meter Steeplechase in three Summer Olympics, from 1976 through 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evan Jager</span> American steeplechaser

Evan Reese Jager is an American middle- and long-distance runner who specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase. In his speciality event, he won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze at the 2017 World Championships. Jager is the current NACAC area record holder in the event with a time of 8:00.45. He is sponsored by Nike and is coached by Jerry Schumacher of the Bowerman Track Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emma Coburn</span> American middle-distance runner

Emma Jane Coburn is an American middle-distance runner who specializes in the 3000-meters steeplechase. She holds the distinction of being a world champion, world silver medalist, Olympic bronze medalist, three-time Olympian and 10-time US National Champion in the steeplechase.

Kyle Scott Alcorn is an American track and field athlete. As a long distance runner, Alcorn experienced most of his professional success in the steeplechase, an event in which he represented the United States at the 2012 Olympics in London, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridget Franek</span> American middle-distance runner

Bridget Franek is an American middle distance runner who was in the U.S. Olympic team for the 2012 Summer Olympics in the 3000 meter steeplechase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shalaya Kipp</span> American middle-distance runner

Shalaya Kipp is an American middle-distance runner who competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the 3000 meter steeplechase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashley Higginson</span>

Ashley Higginson is an American middle-distance runner who has made the U.S. team for the 2013 World Championships in Athletics in the 3000 meter steeplechase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emily Sisson</span> American long-distance runner (born 1991)

Emily Sisson is an American long-distance runner. She set the North American record in the marathon on October 9, 2022, when she ran 2:18:29 to finish second at the Chicago Marathon. Sisson also held the American record in the half marathon from May 2022 until July 2023. She represented the United States in the 10000 metres at the 2017 and 2019 World Athletics Championships, finishing 9th and 10th. In June 2021, she won the 10000m at the 2020 US Olympic Trials and placed 10th in the 10000m final at the 2020 Summer Olympics. In 2024, she placed second in the marathon at the US Olympic Trials, qualifying for the 2024 Summer Olympics. She competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics Women's marathon on 11 August 2024, where she finished 23rd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abraham Kibiwot</span> Kenyan steeplechase runner

Abraham Kibiwot is a Kenyan steeplechase runner. He won bronze medals in the 3000 m steeplechase at the 2024 Summer Olympics, 2023 World Championships, and 2016 African Championships. His personal best is 8:05.51 minutes, set in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allie Ostrander</span> American long-distance runner

Allison "Allie" Ostrander is an American long-distance runner from Soldotna, Alaska. The repeat NCAA Division I steeplechase champion in 2017, 2018 and 2019, she competed for the Boise State University Broncos. In July 2019, Ostrander announced her plans to forgo her final season of NCAA eligibility and begin running professionally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elle Purrier St. Pierre</span> American runner

Elinor Purrier St. Pierre, better known as Elle Purrier St. Pierre, is an American track and field athlete who specializes in middle-distance and long-distance running. She won a gold medal in the 3000 meters at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow. Purrier also represented the United States at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Bayer (athlete)</span> American runner (born 1990)

Andrew Bayer is an American track and field athlete who specializes in 1500 metres and 3000 metres steeplechase. Representing the United States at the 2019 World Athletics Championships, he qualified for the final in men's 3000 metres steeplechase.

Mason Ferlic is an American long-distance runner. He competed in the steeplechase during the 2020 Summer Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valerie Constien</span> American athlete (born 1996)

Valerie Constien is an American track and field athlete and two-time Olympian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benard Keter</span> American athlete (born 1992)

Benard Kiplangat Keter is an American athlete who competes primarily in the 3000 metres steeplechase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Courtney Wayment</span> American athlete

Courtney Wayment-Smith is an American track and field athlete. Originally from Layton, Utah, Wayment represents On Running and competed for Team USA in the 3000 m steeplechase at the 2024 Summer Olympics, finishing 12th with a time of 9:13.6.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krissy Gear</span> American middle-distance runner

Krissy Gear is an American professional middle distance and World Championship steeplechase runner from Fort Myers, Florida. Gear placed 10th at 2018 World U20 Championships. She is the 2023 USA Champion and 2018 USA U20 Champion. Kristlin Gear is an American track and field athlete. In 2023, she became the US national champion in the 3000m steeplechase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Corrigan (runner)</span> American athlete (born 2002)

James Corrigan is an American runner. He finished third at the 2024 United States Olympic trials in the 3000m steeplechase.

The men's 3000 metres steeplechase at the 2024 Summer Olympics was held in four rounds at the Stade de France in Paris, France, on 5 and 7 August 2024. This was 24th time that the men's 3000 metres steeplechase was contested at the Summer Olympics. A total of 36 athletes were able to qualify for the event by entry standard or ranking.

References

  1. ↑ Payne, Jackson (January 12, 2024). "BYU track and field star Kenneth Rooks turns pro, signs with Nike". Deseret News. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  2. ↑ Southwick, Landon (June 21, 2024). "Run Elite Program Welcomes Five New Athletes to Their Elite Team". Run Elite Program. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  3. ↑ Morrow, Jeff (June 13, 2023). "College Place grad wins NCAA Track and Field title + CBC coach added to NW hall of fame". Tri-City Herald. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  4. ↑ Morrow, Jeff (June 13, 2023). "College Place grad wins NCAA Track and Field title + CBC coach added to NW hall of fame". Tri-City Herald. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Kenneth Rooks - Men's Track & Field 2023". BYU Athletics - Official Athletics Website - BYU Cougars. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  6. ↑ Toone, Trent (June 12, 2023). "Latter-day Saint returned missionary Kenneth Rooks wins NCAA championship in steeplechase". The Church News. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  7. ↑ "NCAA Track: BYU's Rooks runs to title in steeplechase". Daily Herald. June 10, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  8. ↑ Robinson, Doug (June 10, 2023). "BYU's Kenneth Rooks wins steeplechase in NCAA championships showdown". Deseret.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Men's Steeple: Kenneth Rooks Powers Away to Win with Big Final 600". Lets Run. June 10, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  10. ↑ Battaglia, Joe (June 10, 2023). "Kenneth Rooks Of BYU Wins Men's 3000m Steeplechase At NCAA Championships". flotrack.org. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone coasts to 400 win at US track and field championships in her newest event". The Hamilton Spectator. July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  12. ↑ Mack, Gordon (July 9, 2023). "BYU's Kenneth Rooks FALLS In Steeple STILL WINS US Title!". Flotrack.
  13. ↑ Monti, David (July 9, 2023). "Krissy Gear, Kenneth Rooks surprise with steeplechase titles: USA Championships". World-Track. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Men's 3000m Steeplechase Results: World Athletics Championships 2023". Watch Athletics. August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  15. ↑ Gault, Jonathan (August 7, 2023). "USATF Announces 2023 World Championship Roster". letsrun.com. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  16. ↑ Payne, Jackson (January 12, 2024). "BYU track and field star Kenneth Rooks turns pro, signs with Nike". Deseret News. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Results". results.usatf.org. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  18. ↑ "MEN'S 3000M STEEPLECHASE FINAL RESULTS".
  19. ↑ "Peacock". www.peacocktv.com. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.