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Who is Kenneth Rooks? Internet stunned as BYU steeplechaser falls midway, gets back up, and still wins USATF gold

'As I got up, I told myself that I had to go into Henry Marsh mode,' Kenneth Rooks said

EUGENE, OREGON: A star runner from Brigham Young University achieved one of the most astonishing triumphs in national track history after winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase title despite falling midway through the race. Cougar senior runner Kenneth Rooks pulled off the big win while competing against some of the top athletes in the 3,000-meter steeplechase finals at the 2023 USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, June 8.

Rooks was apparently trying to leap to a major lead when he suddenly fell down at just the start of the third lap. “I was pretty close to Anthony (Rotich) in front of me and he stuttered really hard (going into a hurdle),” Rooks told NBC Sports after the race, according to Herald Extra. He continued by asserting, “I almost ran into him but then I ran into the barrier. I couldn’t get my steps to get over. I fell down and everyone was running over top of me.” Rooks claimed he had previously mulled over the dreadsome possibility, though it was definitely not a scenario he wanted to be in.

‘I had to go into Henry Marsh mode’

“It was a scenario I went through in my head,” Rooks revealed. “What would I do if I fell? If I did, I knew I had to get up and work my way back slowly. As I got up, I told myself that I had to go into Henry Marsh mode. He ran from the back.” He was referring to former BYU track star Henry Marsh, who at the 1988 US Olympic Track and Field Trials in Indianapolis, Indiana, fell with 200 meters remaining in his semifinal heat before getting back up, sprinting to the finish, and still making it to the finals.

Inspired by Marsh’s triumph, Rooks took more time to get back on his feet but by the time the race was entering its final lap, he was already sprinting comfortably in fourth place and was just a few steps behind the leaders. As the contestants made their way down the backstretch, the BYU star instantly turned on his nitrous. Rooks was battling for the lead heading into the last obstacle when he suddenly overtook Bernard Keter to cross the finish line first and win the competition. Despite the mishap, Rooks finished the steeplechase in 8:16.78, the quickest time in his three-year steeplechase career. However, his finishing time was just shy of the world-championship-qualifying time of 8:15.

'This is an all-time classic'

Rooks’ triumph blew away many viewers’ minds, who praised his magnificent comeback. “Kenneth Rooks fell down in 3000m Steeplechase. BUT HE DIDN’T QUIT. He got back up, was back 30 meters from the pack, and came back TO WIN THE RACE and a US Championship. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!? Who said distance races aren’t entertaining?!?! REMARKABLE!” one user said. Another exclaimed, “Definitely creased the Jordans on our celebratory sprint to the finish line. Worth it. Most epic race I’ve ever seen.” “What did I just witness!?! That effort by Kenneth Rooks might be the single most impressive display of perseverance I’ve ever witnessed live at a sporting event! #USATF #BYU” a third user noted, while another said, “This is an all time classic! There will be many sacrament meeting talks and Sunday school lessons and time for bedtime stories about this particular race."