Crew a mentor for state mile-run champ

To the editor:

My older sister who has resided in Fairfield her whole lifetime sent me your Friday, April 27, 2012 edition. The headline read: Track event renamed Brookhart-Crew Relays.

Lee Crew was a senior my freshman year and an outstanding runner in his events. He always encouraged we younger ones to work hard and give your best. He continued this even while attending Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) when he came home for school breaks or in the summertime. He later tried heavily to recruit me there, also. Today I would call him a mentor.

Due to his diligence, my continued growth, genes and hard work, my high school running culminated in 1951 when I won the Class 2A mile run held in Ames. I?ve been blessed, as was Lee, to have gained our results due to the old oval cinder track at FHS.

Although I didn?t know Mr. Brookhart personally, my sister always spoke highly of him, as did my nieces and nephews who attended during his tenure. I only wish I had known of this renaming before it happened, as I would have made every effort possible to have been in attendance to greet and meet both families. The renaming was well deserved.

Congratulations to the school and community for making this happen along with the families.

? Lee Kane, FHS Class of 1951, Urbandale