Walla Walla native crowned NCAA champion
By Terry Murry on Thursday, June 15th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
AUSTIN, Texas – Walla Walla native Kenneth Rooks, a junior at Brigham Young University, was crowned an NCAA Division I champion in the 3,000-meter steeplechase as BYU men’s track and field wrapped up its 2023 outdoor season.
Rooks, who graduated from College Place High School in 2019, maintained a steady pace navigating near the middle of the pack until the final few laps, surpassing Montana State’s Duncan Hamilton, who was the heavy favorite, on the penultimate lap. The two remained close in the final 400 meters, but Rooks cruised ahead and separated before the final water jump to handily seize his first-ever national title at 8:26.17 – becoming the fourth BYU steeplechaser to win an individual championship.
“I wanted to put myself in the middle or close to the front, be patient and ready when people started to push at the mile,” said Rooks. “When that happened, I was ready to respond. With 600 meters to go, I got lots of speed to go for it at that point.”
The junior is now a three-time steeplechase All-American, claiming back-to-back First Team honors after his sixth-place performance at nationals last season.
Photo via BYU
