At the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, BYU’s Kenneth Rooks triumphs in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and here is all you need to know about him and his high school
On Day 3 of the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, BYU’s Kenneth Rooks put on the most incredible performance, even though superstar Sydney McLaughlin was once again scorching the track. Rooks won the 3,000-meter steeplechase; after falling.
Track and field runner Kenneth Rooks bio, age, height, family, height school, timing record
Kenneth Rooks ’18 Recruiting Profile ; Height: 5’10” ; Weight: 140 ; Age: 23 ; Prim. Position: 1600M ; Sec. Position: 800M.
Height: 5’10”
Age: 23
“𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝘀 ❕”
Kenneth Rooks wins the 3000M after falling during the race.🏆
NCAA Champion. ✅
USA Champion. ✅ pic.twitter.com/fdtBq0LIWP— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) July 9, 2023
Two laps into the seven and a half-lap race, or 800 metres in, there was a backup of cars heading towards the barrier. The large wooden obstacle was too narrow for Rooks to jump over, so he somersaulted over it instead. He then rolled twice on the track as four pursuing runners leaped over him. Rooks later explained:
Anthony (Rotich) stuttered in front of me, and I almost ran into him and I ran into the barrier. Everyone was running over the top of me. I got up and I just told myself I need to go into Henry Marsh mode.”
Rooks started off at the back of the 14-man field, falling three and four seconds behind the runner in the 13th position, respectively, before starting to steadily close the deficit. He managed to get back to the group after two circuits, and after that, he was only one second behind the leader and was eliminating competitors one by one.
Who is Kenneth Rooks?
Kenneth Rooks, an American track and field athlete, was born on October 21, 1999. He won the 3000m steeplechase US national championship in 2023.
He attended College Place High School and was a resident of Walla Walla, Washington. The 23-year-old also served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kampala, Uganda.
A look at Kenneth Rooks’ career so far
Rooks ran a new personal best in the 3000m steeplechase on May 6, 2023, clocking an 8:17.62 in Walnut, California. At the time, it was the quickest time ever recorded by a college student and the second-fastest time ever overall. Additionally, it shattered Henry Marsh’s 46-year-old school record.
He won the 3000m steeplechase race at the 2023 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Austin, Texas, in June 2023 while representing Brigham Young University. With his 8:26.17 winning time, he broke a previous stadium record and set a new one.
"From falling to the finish."
Kenneth Rooks beats the pros to win the 3000m Steeplechase! #USATFOutdoors pic.twitter.com/RgJBd54q0A
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 9, 2023