Steve Roland Prefontaine

Steve Roland Prefontaine, known in the track world as "Pre," was born in Coos Bay, Oregon, January 25, 1951. He was the son of Raymond Prefontaine, a carpenter, and Elfriede Sehnholz, a seamstress. He had two sisters and was never married. Prefontaine grew up speaking German, and was teased at school. This is what pushed him toward sports. At Marshfield High School, Prefontaine learned that track was a perfect sport for his small size and frame. His sophomore year he joined the track team, and by junior year he had begun to win major titles; he had found his gift for running fast. …