College Place native is making a mark at the Olympics

By on Tuesday, August 6th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PARIS – Kenneth Rooks, originally from College Place, will compete in the finals for the 3,000-meter steeplechase Wednesday at 12:40 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. Rooks finished second in his qualifying heat on Monday. He won numerous titles in cross country and track at College Place High School before attending Brigham Young University.

He didn’t participate in athletics for his first two years at BYU. During that time, he was a missionary in Uganda for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In June 2023 he won the 2023 NCAA Division I title for the steeplechase and set a new stadium record in Austin, Texas with a time of 8:23.17. Rooks announced his decision to compete professionally for Nike in January 2024.

The 3,000 m steeplechase has 28 immovable barriers and seven water jumps. The race derives its name form the steeplechase in horse racing. It has been an Olympics event since 1900 for male competitors with varying lengths. It was set at 3,000 meters in 1908.

Information from the Paris Olympics and Wikipedia websites contributed to this article.

Photo via USA Track & Field