Kenneth Rooks, the Olympic silver medalist and three-time defending U.S. champion, inexplicably failed to advance to the finals of the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the world track and field championships in Tokyo Saturday.

On the opening day of competition, running in the third heat, he placed 11th in the 12-man field. He finished with a time of 8:45.57 — 31 seconds slower than his season best and 37 seconds slower than his personal record.

Meanwhile, training partner Dan Michalski placed third in the third heat behind two-time Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco and world record holder Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia with a time of in 8:28.76. Michalski, who turned 30 this month, has experienced a career resurgence since moving from Colorado to Utah to train with BYU coach Ed Eyest

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