1. Kenneth Rooks is an American track and field athlete who specializes in the 3000 m steeplechase.
15 Facts About Kenneth Rooks
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Originally from College Place, Washington, Rooks competed in college for the BYU Cougars, where he was the national champion in the steeplechase at the 2023 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
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Kenneth Rooks won a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in the 3000 m steeplechase.
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Kenneth Rooks attended College Place High School in College Place, Washington.
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Kenneth Rooks 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 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.
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On May 6,2023, Kenneth 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.
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In June 2023, Kenneth 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.
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Kenneth Rooks's winning time of 8:26.17 was a new stadium record.
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The victory came despite Kenneth Rooks falling during the race and having to work himself back to the front.
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Kenneth 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.
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Kenneth Rooks was selected for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest in August 2023, in which he finished tenth in the final.
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Kenneth Rooks announced his decision to compete professionally for Nike in January 2024.
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At the 2024 US Olympic Trials in June, Kenneth 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.
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Kenneth 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.
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However, Kenneth Rooks kicked, and he edged Kibiwot at the finish line to earn the silver medal while improving his personal best by nine seconds.