Chapter 2 Summary and Analysis

Entering the University of Oregon, Steve had the thought to take up a major that would lead to either insurance work or interior decorating. He eventually chose Broadcast Communications. Steve's rural ways and unsure behavior in his freshman year led his cross country team to nickname him "The Rube."

In the late 1960s, and especially at University of Oregon, there was an anti-athlete sentiment. This manifested itself in dirty notes and late-night crank calls with which Steve and his team had to deal. Steve displayed mental toughness, ignoring these things and continuing to improve as a runner. He raced fellow prodigy Gerry Lindgren to a near tie (though Lindgren won) in the Pac-8 cross country meet in Stanford. Lindgren would again edge Steve in the NCAA Championship meet that year. This is the last time Steve would lose a NCAA race...