Kenneth Rooks

Kenneth Rooks
Rooks (center) competes in the heats of the 3000m steeplechase at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (1999-10-21) 21 October 1999 (age 24)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event3000m steeplechase
College teamBYU Cougars
ClubNike,[1] Run Elite[2]
Turned proJanuary 2024
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)3000m steeplechase: 8:15.08 (Los Angeles, 2024)

Kenneth Rooks (born 21 October 1999) is an American track and field athlete. Originally from College Place, Washington,[3] Rooks represents Nike and will compete for Team USA in the 3000 m steeplechase at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Prior to going pro, Rooks competed for the BYU Cougars. While there, he won the 2023 NCAA Division I Outdoor Championship in the 3000m steeplechase by over 6 seconds[4][5]. He went on to win the 3000m steeplechase at the 2023 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships despite falling during the race.[6][7] In high school, Rooks won two WIAA cross country state championships (2015, 2017) and graduated as valedictorian.[8]

Rooks is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a missionary in Kampala, Uganda.[9] He is married to Taylor Human.[10][11]

References

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  1. ^ Payne, Jackson (2024-01-12). "BYU track and field star Kenneth Rooks turns pro, signs with Nike". Deseret News. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  2. ^ Southwick, Landon. "Run Elite Program Welcomes Five New Athletes to Their Elite Team". Run Elite Program. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  3. ^ Morrow, Jeff (June 13, 2023). "College Place grad wins NCAA Track and Field title + CBC coach added to NW hall of fame". Tri-City Herald. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  4. ^ "Men's Steeple: Kenneth Rooks Powers Away to Win with Big Final 600". Lets Run. June 10, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  5. ^ Battaglia, Joe (June 10, 2023). "Kenneth Rooks Of BYU Wins Men's 3000m Steeplechase At NCAA Championships". flotrack.org. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  6. ^ Mack, Gordon (July 9, 2023). "BYU's Kenneth Rooks FALLS In Steeple STILL WINS US Title!". Flotrack.
  7. ^ Monti, David (July 9, 2023). "Krissy Gear, Kenneth Rooks surprise with steeplechase titles: USA Championships". World-Track. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  8. ^ "Kenneth Rooks - Men's Track & Field 2023". BYU Athletics - Official Athletics Website - BYU Cougars. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  9. ^ Toone, Trent (June 12, 2023). "Latter-day Saint returned missionary Kenneth Rooks wins NCAA championship in steeplechase". The Church News. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  10. ^ Dietz, Alec. "Kenneth Rooks emerges from chaotic men's steeplechase final as winner at U.S. Olympic Trials". The Register-Guard. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Taylor Human & Kenneth Rooks". The Knot. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
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