Prefontaine Athletic Award Speech for Alex Garcia-Silver

Presented by Steve Delgado

January 27^th, 2024

The mission of the Prefontaine Foundation is to preserve, protect, and promote the legacy of Coos Bay native, Steve Prefontaine.

Since 1985, in partnership with the Bay Area Chamber, we have recognized student-athletes from Marshfield and North Bend high schools who most closely reflect Pre’s excellence in athletics. Students are nominated by their Athletic Directors and represent the very best in athletic achievement as well as character, community involvement, and academics.

This award has rightly been called the “High School Heisman of our community”. As such the list of recipients is impressive and highlights many of the fine student-athletes our community has nurtured.

Like the award’s namesake our recipient this year has made his mark in distance running.

Alex Garcia-Silver’s life did not start in Coos county, not even in the United States. It started in humble beginnings in his native Colombia, Alex’s parents Moises and Melinda, literally saved his life when they brought their son home to the United States. In that way Alex’s story is one that can inspire all of us to be both a helping hand to other souls and to make the most of the opportunities we are given.

Making the most of opportunities is precisely what Alex did.

Like Pre, Alex is one of only a few Oregon State Cross Country Champions to win the State title twice.

In the Prefontaine Memorial 5k he set the new course record. His time of 14:45 smashed the previous record by over a minute.

Colombian National U18 Track 5k Record holder in 14:40

South American Games U18 3k Champion

Nike Portland XC Jim Danner Champion

Nike XC NW Regional 5^th Place

Nike XC Nationals 17^th place, making All-American

On the track at the State Meet Alex would set a new State meet record in the 3,000m on day one then follow up with a championship run in the 1500m the next day. Both races he led from the gun and won with a huge margin. Alex capped his senior State weekend as a member of the State Champion 4x400m relay team. A moment that was not lost on the announcer who sounded surprised to see the 3k meet record holder running with a baton in his hand during the third leg.

Like so many who have received this award, Alex’s ambition for excellence during high school was also displayed in his academic and community involvement.

Alex was Valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA at both Marshfield and Southwestern Oregon Community College, earning his Associate’s degree and high school diploma in the same weekend.

In school he was a member of NHS, SNHS, Key Club, ASB, and a participant in the Charity program.

Alex realized a long-term goal and signed a letter of intent to run for his parents’ alma mater, BYU, when he returns from his mission on which he is currently serving.

Please welcome to the stage his parents Moises and Melinda to accept this award on his behalf.