OT: Fascinating Grantland article on the death of Steve Prefontaine.
- Thread starter LionJim
- Start date
Thanks Jim. I remember him well, but never really knew much about is death, other than it was an auto accident.
One of Prefontaine main rivals was Penn State's own Greg Fredericks. Prefontaine won four NCAA three mile championships from 1970-73 with Fredericks coming in fifth ('70), second ('71), and second ('72). Greg had graduated when Prefontaine won his fourth in 1973.
This pic is from the '72 championship.
This pic is from the '72 championship.
Back then distance running was a big deal. I remember screaming my head off watching Marty Liquori beat Jim Ryun in the mile at Franklin Field, in 1971.
Greg Fredericks, gee, I hadn't thought of him in eons.
Got to this thread late. The high school 2 mile record is held by Prefontaine. The 2nd fastest 2 mile time in high school was by Penn State's Alan Scharsu (8:44.0 to Prefontaine's 8:41.0). Scharsu also set the 2 mile world record for a 16 year old. I can say I had the pleasure of watching Alan run in high school as I was on the track team of a high school in his conference and competed in many of the same meets (but I was hurdler and long jumper). He was simply amazing, pretty much sprinting all laps in his events- the mile and the 2 mile.
