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By SEAN ROCCA

For The Washington Daily News

Northside senior Zane Brooks will continue his track and field career at Erskine College in Due West, SC, about a six hour drive from Washington.

Brooks specializes in hurdles. This year at Northside, he qualified for regionals in both the 110m and 300m hurdles where he finished top five in both events. He qualified for the state championship meet in the 110m where he got to travel to Greensboro to compete on the North Carolina A&T track. While not racing his best at state, Brooks said it was his favorite meet of the season.

“Being there at states was a great experience,” Brooks said. “I loved being at the hotel with my friends. It felt free, I felt like I was truly alive while I was there.”

He said he had two goals coming into the season: get recruited and break the school record. He achieved the first one and came as close as he could to beating the school record. He ran 16.68 in the 110m at regionals and the school record is 16.67, one millisecond off.

“Zane brought his senior leadership having ran the past three years and took two freshmen runners under his mentorship with working the high and low hurdle,” coach Ole Robinett said.   He gave up his position in relays so he could focus on the hurdles and allowed other runners to gain experience. He is the essence of a team player and his determination will serve him well at Erskine.”

Once Brooks starting practicing and competing in hurdles, he loved it. “It is such a big adrenaline rush,” Brooks said. “Once I tried it, I fell in love with it and soon it became fun to train and compete in these events.”

He chose Erskine because he likes the campus and his friend attends Erskine. His friend encouraged him to choose Erskine and was a big reason why Brooks committed there. He is excited to be able to train at the collegiate level and learn from his future teammates. He wants to continue to get better and get more personal best times while representing the Flying Fleet.

At Northside, he learned how to properly train and get better. He became more coachable, helping him fully understand his capabilities. “Northside taught me how to listen”, Brooks said. “I listened to my coaches advise and worked hard all year. I know this will help me next year.”