Paris 2024 Olympian to attend College Place Freedom Festival

By Dan Thesman on Monday, June 16th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

COLLEGE PLACE – Mayor Norma Hernandez has announced College Place native and Paris 2024 Olympics silver medalist Kenneth Rooks will make an appearance at the 2025 College Place Freedom Festival, Sunday, June 29 at College Place High School from 6 to 9 p.m.

Rooks’ appearance is as follows:

6 – 6:30 p.m. – Welcome from Mayor Hernandez and community Q&A

6:45 – 7:45 p.m. – Autographs and photos

8 p.m. – Lap(s) around the track with community members

Rooks, a 2018 graduate of College Place High School, competed for the district in track and field and won multiple state titles in cross country and track. He went on to compete professionally in the 3,000 meter steeplechase for Nike in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In April of this year, Rooks graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

The Freedom Festival, which Rooks will be attending, is College Place’s family-friendly Independence Day Celebration with food trucks, vendors, a Kid’s Zone, outdoor concert and fireworks show. Admission is free.

Photo: Courtesy via BYU Athletics