"He Just had it-whatever it is, actors have it, singers have it. Some people have it, some don't.

Most people don't. Pre had alot of it." - Wendy Ray, Hayward Field announcer.

I could write an entire book here about Pre and his accomplishments but I wont take up that much of your time because if you are looking at this site I am sure you already know who Steve Prefontaine is, but if not here it goes. Steve Roland Prefontaine was born on January 25^th, 1951 in Coos Bay, Oregon to Ray and Elfriede Prefontaine. Growing up he had the basic childhood life...very active but was never exceptional at anything. He played football but didn't get off the bench much. Then one day in his freshman year in high school he ran during a conditioning program in gym class, and placed second. He finally found something he was good at...running. From that day forward that is all this kid, later becoming known, as "Pre" would do. He ran to be the best...and by god he accomplished that goal.

To size up Pre is this…For five years no American runner could beat him in distance running. He ran for his country at the age of 21 at the 1972 Olympics. He placed forth after running literally to he dropped. Pre ran for the gold and he could have run for just a medal, but Pre wanted to win. He turned down a lot of money to go pro to race again at the '76 Olympics where he was expected to take the gold. Unfortunately Pre never made it back to the Olympics. His young life was cut short on a lonely road in Oregon; one that he had ran many times before. Was Steve Prefontaine the best middle distance runner in the world? Possibly! Was he the best American Distance runner? Without a doubt! But that is of little importantance, what is important is what he stood for! Hard Work, discipline, perseverance and never, ever, giving up. His coach told Steve the greatest of all his accomplishments, he thought, was that he attended 4 years of college without missing one track meet or practice.

Pre ran to be the best, he did everything to be the best. In his mind second just was another word for 1^st loser! He shot like a meteor into this world, fast full of energy and then died out as sudden as he appeared. All runners immortalize him and he is the standard to which a runner measures himself even today. Pre is no longer with us physically, but his desire and will to win is with every man, women and child who strives to be the best…at anything. So long Pre…..We definitely hardly knew ye…….

Kenneth L. Mains