Kenneth Rooks, the two-time U.S. steeplechase champion from BYU, has already showcased his prowess by advancing through the first round of the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Paris Olympic Games. But now, the real test is just around the corner: the finals, set for Wednesday at 1:40 p.m. MDT. Rooks is not just stepping up to the plate; he's diving into one of the most fiercely competitive fields ever assembled for this event.
In a dramatic first round, Rooks showed he's got the grit and the speed. Running in the third of three heats, he placed second, comfortably securing his spot in the finals. Ethiopia’s Lamacha Girma, the world record holder, won the heat with a blistering time of 8:23.89. Rooks, along with Kenya’s Simon Koech, clocked in at 8:24.95, just a fraction behind Girma but ahead of the competition. This performance was particularly impressive, considering the strategic and tactical nature of the race.
Unfortunately, not all of Rooks’ teammates were as fortunate. James Corrigan, Rooks' training partner and a fellow BYU athlete, did not advance. Despite a commendable season and an American collegiate record of 8:13.67 set just a month prior, Corrigan finished 10th in the first heat with a time of 8:36.67.
Now, all eyes are on Wednesday’s final, where Rooks will face off against a formidable lineup of competitors. He'll be up against Girma, the 2021 Olympic silver medalist and world record holder, and Morocco’s Soufiane el Bakkali, the reigning Olympic champion and two-time world champion. Both have shattered the eight-minute barrier in the steeplechase, making them fierce contenders. Rooks’ personal best, a solid 8:15.08, though impressive, will be put to the ultimate test against such elite competition.
In Monday's heat, Rooks found himself in the slowest group, which played into his strengths. The tactical pace allowed him to stay in the lead pack and make his move when it counted. “With 1K to go, they started to increase the pace, and I responded,” Rooks explained. He surged to third on the bell lap and then finished strong, clinching second place by narrowly edging out Koech.
Coach Ed Eyestone was full of praise for Rooks' performance. “Kenny demonstrated why he’s currently the best steeplechaser in America,” Eyestone said. “He positioned himself strategically at the front of the pack and reacted well to the world record holder’s moves. Despite the early slow pace and congestion, he navigated expertly. When the pace picked up, he found the rail to minimize distance and pushed forward, showcasing a masterclass in elite racing tactics.”
The anticipation for Wednesday’s final is palpable. Rooks has not yet encountered a race this year that matches the intensity of the upcoming final. Most of his previous races were tactical, playing to his strength as a kicker. But with the final expected to be fast-paced, Rooks and Eyestone believe that he has the potential to excel, given the right conditions.
“I’m not sure what my limits are,” Rooks mentioned over the phone while dining in Paris. “I’ve been running strong in training and I’m confident about tackling a fast start.”
The big question remains: Can Rooks compete effectively in a race that may go out at a sub-8:10 pace? “That’s the big mystery,” he admitted. “I feel capable of more. Regardless of the pace, I’m going to stay in the hunt.”
Before this event, Rooks had only participated in two international races, both at last year’s world track championships in Budapest, where he placed 10th. “I learned a lot from that experience,” he said, reflecting on his growth.
Rooks’ performance also highlights the strong presence of BYU athletes in Paris. So far, three out of the four BYU competitors have made it to the finals. Courtney Wayment, another BYU alum, is set to compete in the finals of the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase on Tuesday at 1:10 p.m. MDT. Wayment had previously qualified for the finals of the 2023 world championships as well.
Whittni Morgan, the former national champion from BYU and Panguitch, competed in the finals of the 5,000-meter run on Monday and finished 14th. Morgan’s performance was nothing short of remarkable, especially considering her journey to Paris. She finished with a time of 14:53.57, breaking her year-old personal record by almost nine seconds. Her U.S. teammates Kara Schweizer and Elise Cranny finished 10th and 11th, respectively, with times of 14:45.57 and 14:48.06.
Morgan's road to the Olympics was fraught with challenges. After undergoing knee surgery on November 20 and spending four weeks on crutches, she only resumed running in February and didn’t get back to intense track workouts until March. Her first race of the year was in mid-April. Despite these hurdles, Morgan placed fifth in the Olympic trials and was later promoted to the Olympic team after two runners ahead of her in the trials chose to focus on different events.
“I am so proud of Whittni’s gutsy effort,” said coach Diljeet Taylor. “Finishing 14th in the world and running a nine-second personal best on the biggest stage is an incredible achievement. She made us all proud.”
As the Olympic Games continue, all eyes will be on Rooks and the BYU athletes as they vie for top honors in their respective events. The stakes are high, and the competition is fierce, but the journey and the performances so far have already proven that BYU athletes are making their mark on the world stage.
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