Steve Prefontaine led the Oregon Ducks to the NCAA Cross-Country Championships in 1973 and held the American records for the 2,000 meters, 3,000 meters, 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters as well as the 2 miles, 3 miles and 6 miles at the time of his death.
Steve Prefontaine won three NCAA titles (1970, 1971 and 1973) in the three miles and one NCAA title in the 5,000 meters (1972).
Steve Prefontaine won 3 NCAA Cross Country titles and led his team to the 1973 NCAA Cross Country Championship. In fact, the university did not want to send the Ducks to the NCAA in 1973. An incensed Steve Prefontaine threatened not to attend, and the university capitulated.
His coach, Bill Dellinger, won two NCAA titles in 1954 and 1956 as an individual for the Oregon Ducks.
One of the things Bill Dellinger mentioned to Kenny Moore and Tom Jordan, two people who told him about the late Steve Prefontian, was Steve’s consistency. Bill Dellinger didn’t remember the practice Steve Prefontaine missed while competing in college. It’s consistency.
Steve Prefontaine knew he had to improve his strength and speed during the training seasons.
In 1973, Steve Prefontaine won his last NCAA title. He came back to beat Nick Rose who had built up a huge lead. After the race, Steve Prefontaine told reporters that it was his most satisfying cross-course victory.
During his career, Steve Prefontaine won 120 of his 153 home runs for a .784 average. He lost three races in his NCAA career, all in the mile.
His 800m against 1972 Olympic gold medalist Dave Wattle was a classic. Dave Wattle told this writer in October 2025 that Steve was very tough in the mile, running 3:54.6, then just 3.5 seconds off the world record.
“Pre,” as his fans called him, had an unquenchable desire to challenge himself. Here is one of our favorite quotes from Steve Prefontaine.
“What crazy nut can spend two or three hours a day just running?”
Very good question.
