By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

GORHAM – Alan Brooks was unable to attend Monday’s track meet, but his son, Colby, will be the first to tell you that his presence was felt.

“I had him in my mind the whole time,” said the Edward Little senior sprinter.

Alan Brooks suffered a heart attack on Valentine’s Day last week. So when Colby competed at the Class A indoor track championships at the University of Southern Maine, he was wearing a gold chain to keep his father in mind. His dad was home recovering and got a call soon after Colby set a new state record in the 200-meter dash.

“That’s my dad’s,” said Brooks, of the gold chain around his neck. “I’m wearing it for good luck. He wears it all the time.”

Colby set a pair of state records with his efforts and was part of three first-place finishes to help Edward Little place fourth overall in the boys’ meet.

In the 200, Brooks picked up a head of steam halfway through the race and burst by the competition in the final turn.

“I felt it all through the race,” said Brooks. “Last year, I missed (the record) by one-tenth, I think. It feels good to get it finally.”

Brooks finished in 22.65, surpassing the mark of 22.96 set in 2000 by Brett McIntyre.

“I’ve been aiming for that for awhile,” said Brooks. “I wanted to get that record. I wanted to do it for my Dad. He’s at home right now. So I was running this for him.”

Earlier in the meet, he won the 55 meter dash in 6.60, breaking his own mark of 6.61 set last year.

“I was so focused,” said Brooks. “I didn’t really feel pressure. I knew what I had to do coming in here. So I just went out, and I did it.”

Brooks also helped EL’s relay team take first in the 2-x-200. After taking the baton from Garte Sosmena, EL was in second place, but Brooks changed that in a hurry. He quickly took the lead back and roared to a convincing win in 1:35.10, spoiling a fine run by Lewiston’s relay team which took second in 1:35.58.

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