Rooks ran 8:24.95 in his Olympic debut, advancing as the lone American from the semifinals of the event. The 2023 NCAA champion maintained contact with the lead pack. The third and final heat went a conservative 69 second first lap. Rooks held position in third as the pace pushed up in the final three laps. The professional Nike athlete advanced to the final scheduled for 1:40 p.m. MDT on Wednesday.

“A masterclass in terms of racing a tactical steeplechase race,” BYU coach Ed Eyestone said in a social media post. “He was going against a world record holder and held his own. He tracked the world record holder and when he took the lead, he (Rooks) said, ‘I’ve got to get behind this guy.’ And then he closed really strong. The first few laps were really slow and there was a lot of traffic but he maneuvered through the traffic and finished very strong to get second and advance. Some favorites did not advance so that enhances his chances going into the final on Wednesday.”

Current BYU athlete James Corrigan competed in the event as well, running 8:36.67 across the finish. Corrigan placed tenth in the first heat, but did not advance to the final. The distance runner from Los Angeles, California concluded an historic track and field season. Corrigan’s prior personal best at the end of the 2023 season was 8:52.54. In his 2024 season, he became the Big 12 Champion in the event, running an 8:29.24. He placed ninth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, then two weeks later took third at the U.S. Trials. Corrigan then qualified for Team USA running 8:13.87 at the Penn Relays Summer Showcase.

Morgan completes Olympic journey

Former Cougar Whittni Morgan placed 13th in the Olympic 5000m final Monday afternoon at Stade de France.

Morgan ran a career best of 14:53.57 to mark the first time she has ever run under 15 minutes in the 12 1/2 lap event. Her time was nearly nine seconds faster than her previous personal best of 15:02.07.

A 26-year-old from Panguitch, Utah, Morgan’s 13th-place finish is the best a BYU track & field woman has placed at the Olympic Games since team USA’s Amy Palmer placed eighth in the hammer throw at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

“What an opportunity this was to compete at my first Olympics” said Orton. “I am just so grateful. I ran my guts out today and I have no regrets. I am feeling extremely blessed and I am walking away with a lot of gratitude, fire, confidence and joy.”

“I am so proud of that gutsy effort from Whittni,” BYU track coach Diljeet Taylor said. “She finished 13th in the world and ran a nine second personal best on the biggest stage in an Olympic Final. I have no words other than that I am super grateful to be her coach and humbled to work with her. She made us all proud. ”

Former Cougar Courtney Wayment will compete for an Olympic medal in the 3000m steeplechase final Tuesday at 1:14 p.m. MT.