Steve Prefontaine was born January 25, 1951 in the small town of Coos Bay, Oregon. His father Raymond, was a carpenter and his mother Elfriede was a seamstress from Germany. Steve Prefontaine was a typical high school boy and wanted to play football and the traditional sports. Prefontaine though was too small for these sports and decided to run.Steve Prefontaine started his running career at Marshfield High School and became one the most sought after runners in the United States. He was undefeated in cross country and track his junior and senior year. Pre was very versatile and could run a 1:54 800 meter to a 13:52 5000 meter race. His senior year at Marshfield High School he set the American record in the two mile run.
Coach Bill Bowerman of the University of Oregon took notice of Pre's talent and recruited him heavily. The fall of 1969 Steve Prefontaine showed up on campus and ran cross country in the fall. By the time he finished his career at Oregon University he won an impressive seven NCAA national titles: three in cross country, 1970, 1971, and 1973 and four in the three-mile in track, '70, '71 '72 and '73. Steve Prefontaine was also the first athlete to win four consecutive NCAA track titles in the same event. He also held eight collegiate records including the 3 mile and 6 mile races in which have not been broken.
Coach Bill Bowerman of the University of Oregon took notice of Pre's talent and recruited him heavily. The fall of 1969 Steve Prefontaine showed up on campus and ran cross country in the fall. By the time he finished his career at Oregon University he won an impressive seven NCAA national titles: three in cross country, 1970, 1971, and 1973 and four in the three-mile in track, '70, '71 '72 and '73. Steve Prefontaine was also the first athlete to win four consecutive NCAA track titles in the same event. He also held eight collegiate records including the 3 mile and 6 mile races in which have not been broken.
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