But Connor Harris can’t forget the pain he experienced at the 2012 season-ending spring meets in Bath and Windham, and we’re not talking about the frayed ligaments in his then-tender left ankle.

“I remember being in this exact same field (during the KVAC championship at Morse) last year and getting fifth, sixth, when I should have been getting first and second,” Harris said. “It was hard. It was mostly because of my own stupidity.”

Harris hurt himself early in his junior spring season, rolling his ankle while navigating the stairs that are cut into the hillside adjacent to Edward Little High School. It was part of a routine workout, and Harris treated it as a routine injury.

Perhaps the stubbornness that has made Harris one of the school’s most decorated athletes of all time got the better of him. He never revealed the injury to coaches or trainers who could have provided proper diagnosis and treatment until it was too late.

Humbled and healthy again, Harris enters Saturday’s Class A state championship at Brewer with a chance to win four events and give the Red Eddies a puncher’s chance at the team title.

He will be among the favorites in all three jumps — high, long and triple. Harris also is likely to run a relay, either 4×100 or 4×400 meters, depending upon team strategy.

“This year is definitely a comeback for me,” Harris said. “I’m glad to be back. I’m glad to see all the great competition, because that helps me too.”

Harris flaunted his fitness in February by successfully defending his indoor titles in high jump and triple jump.

Convincing victories in those same events powered EL to its 10th consecutive KVAC boys’ championship Monday at Morse. Harris set a league record of 44 feet, 5 1/2 inches in triple jump and narrowly missed a personal record in high jump. Only a tiebreaker prevented him from completing the sweep in long jump.

“His triple jump was phenomenal,” EL coach Ryan LaRoche said. “Barring a little gust of wind on his last attempt at 6-6, he would have hit that in the high jump as well.”

Harris was only able to harness enough strength to complete one event at the 2012 state meet, finishing third in triple jump.

Not that Harris needs any additional fuel, but if he’s looking for it, his only outdoor state title was the high jump gold as a sophomore.

“When you get everyone together, KVACs, states, New Englands, whatever, you see what everybody’s capable of,” Harris said.

The trying conclusion to his junior year may have persuaded Harris to pace himself as a senior. He admittedly spent less time pushing the issue at practice, saving his strength for the important meets.

That doesn’t mean he was a passive spectator. Harris often acted as a virtual assistant coach, conveying his expertise to the Eddies’ next wave of jumpers.

Those labors paid dividends Monday. Behind Harris, EL had another scorer in all three jumps and an additional finalist in triple and long jump.

“When you have three in the top eight, it makes it a lot easier to score points,” LaRoche said. “Connor has a lot to do with that. He’s done a great job working with these young kids, helping to share what he’s learned and spread the wealth a little bit.”

“This year by far was the most coaching I’ve ever done on the team. I think a week or two ago was the first time I practiced long and triple, and I’m OK with that,” Harris added. “I’d love to leave Coach with a great jumping squad for next year. All the coaches have done so much for me. I’d love to give them something in return when I leave. We had a hell of a lot of kids with just natural athleticism who had never done track before come up and do well.”

Harris was accepted to the University of Rhode Island.

Due to cost considerations, he will spend at least his first college season at the University of Maine before reevaluating.

“It’s still Division I. I’m excited,” he said. “I really do want to pursue track. Track is my passion.”

A love, once lost, that Harris now appreciates more than ever.