by Deji Ogeyingbo
When Kenneth Rooks ran to the front in Paris, I started screaming! Kenneth had done that before. Kenneth has the speed and guts to be an Olympic medalist in the steeplechase and will add to the silver medal he took in Paris. In line with the grand American steeplechasers, (Patrick Flynn, Antwerp, 1920, silver, Joe McCluskey, Los Angeles, 1932, bronze, Horace Ashenfelter, 1952, gold, Helsinki, George Young, 1968, bronze, Mexico, Evan Jager, 2016, Rio de Janeiro, silver), Kenneth Rooks has shown, once again, that American distance runners, when motivated and focused, can run with the best in the world. Deji Ogeyingbo wrote this piece on another amazing American track and field star!
How time and chance aligned for Kenneth Rooks
In just over a year, Kenneth Rooks went from being an unassuming competitor on the track to clinching a Silver at the Paris Olympics. The 24-year-old American steeplechaser turned heads by clocking an impressive 8:06.41 in the men’s 3000m Steeplechase, shattering his Personal Best by nine seconds and securing a place in American distance running history. Yet, it wasn’t only the medal that captured attention; it was the electrifying way he surged from the back of the pack, boldly challenging established champions. It felt like time and chance stood still as it all happened.
For Rooks, this journey has been nothing short of a whirlwind. Last year, he was barely on the radar of global athletics, a relative newcomer who had only recently taken his first major national title at the NCAA Championships. But with each race, he’s climbed steadily, blending audacious racing tactics with a fierce determination to compete at the highest level. His daring style, most notably displayed when he fell and recovered to win the U.S. Trials, has endeared him to fans and positioned him as one of America’s most exciting distance prospects.
What’s propelled Rooks from obscurity to stardom? A combination of consistent hard work, relentless belief, and a fearlessness to aim high. After winning the NCAA title, Rooks took his training to a new level, regularly hitting paces he once thought unimaginable. He arrived at the Olympic Trials with an 8:15 Personal Best, and while he felt he hadn’t peaked, he was ready for a breakthrough. He credits his steady progress to intense preparation: “After the Trials, my workouts kept improving. I knew I needed to be ready for 64s and 65s, which is around 8:06 pace. If I stayed consistent, I could be ready to hang at that pace in a big race.”
Rooks’ daring approach carried him through the preliminary rounds in Paris, where he ran confidently and confidently. In the final, he treated the Olympic stage as a chance to show his ability. With one lap to go, he boldly decided to take the lead, feeling the moment’s weight yet driven by pure adrenaline. “In my brain, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m leading the Olympic final!’” he recalled. Though he eventually conceded the top spot to Soufiane El Bakkali, Rooks’ audacious move and grit to hold the second left an indelible mark on the race.
The silver medal isn’t just a singular achievement; it’s a launchpad. Rooks’ performance places him among the world’s elite, yet he remains grounded about what it means for his future. “I felt like I really had nothing to lose,” he said about his aggressive approach. With the Olympic podium under his belt, Rooks has shifted his focus to building consistency. If he can replicate this level of performance, he could become a fixture in the international steeplechase finals, where El Bakkali and Lamecha Girma have ruled for the last few years.
At 24, Rooks has time on his side. He’s already proven he can rise to the occasion, but translating that potential into consistent success will be the next challenge. His rapid progression suggests he has room to improve, perhaps even faster than his Paris performance. His strategy moving forward will be crucial; racing at such a high level consistently requires a balance of strategic pacing and understanding of the tactics in each race.
For Rooks, however, it’s not just about chasing medals; it’s about pushing boundaries. “I know I can go a little faster,” he said, hinting that his Olympic silver may only be the beginning. As he eyes future championships, Rooks is poised to be more than just a surprise contender; he’s on the verge of establishing himself as a reliable threat to the podium. While Paris marked his arrival on the international stage, his next moves will determine whether he will stay there.
