2026 Prefontaine Award Presentation Speech by Jay Farr

Good evening, I am Jay Farr with the Prefontaine Foundation and I am here to present the 2025 Prefontaine Athletic award to a Marshfield 2025 graduate and very deserving track athlete, Bodey Lutes.

One of Bodey’s coaches, Casey McCord wrote, “I have had the privilege of watching Bodey grow into an exceptional student athlete- one whose spirit, determination and leadership mirror the legacy of Steve Prefontaine in remarkable ways. Bodey etched his name into Marshfield history by breaking Steve Prefontaine’s long standing 800-meter school record with a time of 1:47.74, surpassing Pre’s 1:53.8 mark, (shaving 6 full seconds off Pre’s record). This feat speaks not only to his athletic talent, but to his deep respect for those who came before him. To follow in Pre’s footsteps, both literally and figuratively, is a source of tremendous pride for Bodey. He is a role model for younger athletes, a positive force in our school culture and someone who consistently puts team and community above self.”

Those words from Coach McCord speak volumes about this young man who is our award winner.

Bodey and his relay team broke the 1969 relay team’s 57-year-old MHS school record for the 4×4 or mile relay.

However, our 1969 MHS 4×4 relay team that included Jim Huggins, Charlie McClure, Larry Denton and me still hold the Coos County meet’s 57 yr old 4×4 record. The Coos County meet is 117 years old. One of our team members is here with me tonight, Larry Denton.

In Oregon High School track and field there have been all kinds of records made and broken over the many years since OSAA was formed in 1918: School records, meet records, district records, district meet records, state records, state meet records – then there are the personal best records and age group records

You get the idea. Lots of records. Every time Bodey and his teammates stepped on the track at a competition, records were in jeopardy.

• Bodey individually reset the Marshfield High School records for the 800 meter, 400 meter, and 200 meter events.
• His relay team broke the MHS 4x400m relay record
• Bodey’s high school 4A division individual records include the 400 meter and 800 meter events
• His relay team broke the 4A division 4x100m and 4x400m relay event records
• Bodey shares the Oregon state all high school’s individual 800 meter record with Isaya Greer from Lake Oswego. Isaya set his record in 2010.

Bodey, would you stand with your relay team? Chandler Wyatt, Jake Day, and Carter McGriff.
Bodey is now attending the University of Oregon continuing to excel scholastically and athletically.

Again, to quote coach McCord: “Bodey is a deserving recipient of this honor, not only because of what he has done, but because who he is. I can think of no better way to honor Pre’s legacy than by recognizing a student who has followed his path with heart and determination.”

As a Marshfield High School classmate, track teammate, neighbor and friend of Steve Prefontaine, I proudly present the 2025 Prefontaine Athletic award to Bodey Lutes. Please join me up here.