Soldier Going To Olympics

[Subdeacon Joe]

Spc. Benard Keter crossed the finish line of the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 8:21.81 at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials June 25

 

 

“At the last 400 meters, when I saw we were making the team together, I used the same mentality we have in practice, ‘my teammate is right here and we will finish it together’,” said Keter.

Bor, a 2016 Olympian, still trains with Keter and is excited to compete with him in Tokyo.

“This means a lot,” said Bor. “It is always a great feeling when you make the cut with your teammate, the person you train with every day. I am happy for Keter.”

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WCAP’s commander, Cpt. Robert Cheseret, and Keter’s former coach, said that when Keter first joined WCAP in 2018, he worked to run a USA Track and Field nationals qualifying time in just six months.

“He is always motivated and his work ethic is phenomenal,” said Cheseret. “He was ranked 4th overall going into the trials so I knew his chances of making the Olympic team were very good.”

Keter comes from a family of Olympians. His brother, Tareq Mubarak Taher, competed in steeplechase at 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics representing Bahrain.

“When I told my mom I made the team, she was so excited she almost passed out,” Keter said.

Keter began his running career to help his family. He ran at Texas Tech University and after graduation he joined the Army to represent the country while still being able to compete in the sport he loved.