Passion for sports

Joey Villasenor couldn't have selected a better role model than the late Steve Prefontaine, a former Olympic track athlete who also was a star in college.

"I really look up to Steve Prefontaine," said Villasenor, a Lindhurst High athlete who is participating in five sports in this, his senior year. "Looking at films about him, I've seen his passion for running, and I have that same passion, too."

Prefontaine won three national cross country titles and four 3-mile/5,000-meter collegiate outdoor titles while running for the University of Oregon. He went on to compete in the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, finishing fourth in the 5,000 meters. At the time of his tragic death in 1975, he held every American distance record from 2,000 to 10,000 meters.

Villasenor reveres Prefontaine so much that he lives his life by a quote attributed to Prefontaine — "Anything less than your best is sacrificing the gift."

And Villasenor has the gift. Make that gifts.

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