After Cole Hocker‘s incredible 1500m gold, his fellow middle and long-distance runners are stepping up. However, even then few would’ve guessed Kenneth Rooks to pull off a historic win for Team USA in the 3000m steeplechase finals on Wednesday. The on-paper rookie whose international career is less than two years old is now an Olympic silver medalist.

Rooks started the race and settled in the middle of the 16-competitor race with all eyes on the defending champion Soufiane El Bakkali. However, Rooks came surging in the final 80m, nearly winning the contest. However, he wouldn’t have done it without his teammates. “It’s been electric… I was in the stadium when Grant (Fisher) got the bronze,” said Rooks.

“Then I watched last night with my family, with Cole (Hocker) and Yared (Nuguse). There’s a great energy right now with U.S. distance running and it’s just exciting. Also, Rai Benjamin was giving me lots of encouragement today and yesterday… He said he was going to warm up the track for me,” the track and field athlete explained to the media.

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Rai Benjamin ran in the 400m hurdles semi-final ahead of Kenneth Rooks. The hurdler did as promised, winning semifinal 3 with 47.85s on the clock, as the 24-year-old prepared for the finals. “He did a good job warming up the track. So thanks, Rai,” said Rooks, still in disbelief about what he had achieved.

“After the race, I was like, what the heck just happened? That was amazing.” the American told Deseret News. However, besides the brilliant performances by Team USA’s athletes, the Olympic silver medalist also thanks his parents, and coach Ed Eyestone. However, now it’s Rai Benjamin’s turn to continue the momentum.

It won’t be easy for Kenneth Rooks’ teammate

Rai Benjamin announced his arrival in Paris with a solid performance during the heats and semis. However, while the hurdler led the pack during the third semifinal, he did not finish with the fastest time. Olympic champion Karsten Warholm clocked in the overall fastest time with 47.66s. Another surprise contender entered the picture in France’s Clement Ducos.

Benjamin and Ducos both crossed the finish line with 47.85s. It’s an interesting development as Kenneth Rooks’ teammate and Warholm have been rivals since Tokyo 2020. Three years later Warholm remains the favorite to defend his 400m hurdles title. However, the 27-year-old American is riding on the wave of momentum that his teammates have created.

So will Kenneth Rooks’ teammate succeed in upsetting the reigning champion? He has done it before in the Diamond League. Yet, the Frenchman may have a surprise for everyone on his home soil. Unfortunately, fans will have to wait until August 10th, before they find out.