Kenneth Rooks is a track and field athlete from the United States of America. He earned his civil engineering degree from Brigham Young University as a student-athlete. Rooks rose to prominence by clinching the 3000-meter steeplechase title with a personal best time of 8:16.78 at the 2023 USA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, despite falling over a barrier, rolling twice, and trailing by 30 meters. He also secured 10th place at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Before graduating, Rooks was a student at College Place High School in College Place, Washington. As a high school athlete, he recorded personal bests of 1:53.56 in the 800 meter, 4:11.40 in the mile, and 9:20.86 in the 3200 meter. He became a two-time WIAA cross country state champion and the 2017 WIAA 1A state champion in the 1600 meter. Beyond athletics, Rooks served as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kampala, Uganda.
How old is Kenneth Rooks?
Kenneth Rooks was born on October 21, 1999, in College Place, Washington, and is 24 years old as of August 2024. He was raised by his American parents, Ron Rooks and Judy Rooks. As of August 2024, the Olympic medalist has achieved an NCAA championship and a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He is now ranked 24th globally in the men's 3000-meter steeplechase, with a score of 1,245.
At the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, Rooks qualified for the Olympics for the first time in his career by winning the 3000-meter steeplechase final with a time of 8:21.92. During the 2024 Olympic Games, he finished behind Moroccan track and field athlete Soufiane El Bakkali, securing a silver medal with a new personal record time of 8:06.41.
Kenneth Rooks’s Physical Attributes
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 140 lbs (63 kg) |
| Nationality | American |
| Current Club | Nike, Run Elite |
| College team | The BYU Cougar |
Kenneth Rooks’s Personal Record Times
| Event | Record Time |
| 1600 Meter | 4:15.97 |
| 3200 Meter | 9:53.17 |
| 3000 Meter Steeplechase ( At the 2024 Paris Olympics) | 8:06.41 |
| 400M | 50.63 |
| 800M | 1:53.56 |
Kenneth Rooks’s Career Bests
| Competitions | Discipline | Time | Position | Date |
| The Olympic Games, Stade de France, Paris | 3000mSC | 8:06.41 | Second | 07 August, 2024 |
| Track Fest, Jack Kemp Stadium, Los Angeles | 3000mSC | 8:15.08 | First | 11 May, 2024 |
| Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic, Boston University Track & Tennis Center, Boston | 3000mSC | 7:42.37 | Sixth | 26 January, 2024 |
| USA Championships, Hayward Field, Eugene | 3000mSC | 8:16.78 | First | 08 July, 2023 |
| Track Festival, Hilmer Lodge Stadium, Walnut | 3000mSC | 8:17.62 | First | 06 May, 2023 |
| Portland Track Festival, Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham | 3000mSC | 8:18.77 | First | 08 June, 2024 |
| World Athletics Championships, Nemzeti Atlétikai Központ, Budapest | 3000mSC | 8:20.02 | Tenth | 22 August, 2023 |
| U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Hayward Field, Eugene | 3000mSC | 8:21.92 | First | 23 June, 2024 |
| NCAA Div. I Outdoor Championships, Hayward Field, Eugene | 3000mSC | 8:22.56 | Sixth | 10 June, 2022 |
| World Athletics Championships, Nemzeti Atlétikai Központ, Budapest | 3000mSC | 8:23.66 | First | 19 August, 2023 |
Kenneth Rooks’ Social Media
| Social Media Platform | Social Media Profile |
| @kenneth_rooks@kenneth_rooks |
FAQ's On Kenneth Rooks's Age
A. Kenneth Rooks was born in College Place, Washington, United States.
A. Kenneth Rooks went to College Place high school, in Washington, United States.
A. Kenneth Rooks is currently married to the track star Taylor Human.
