Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN

pretty cool dude

Nice story.

I run cross country and track in Suffolk County and I've raced against Mike Brannigan once or twice (Northport doesn't send their A Team to county invitationals besides the championships). He's an animal. I swear I have never seen a more perfected high school runner. It seems like he literally has no weakness. He's also a nice kid with a great coach, and the Northport kids are a bunch of bros too.

He's gonna be in the top 5 at NXN. No doubt.

I think the one possible weakness to Brannigan would be his team. Northport is losing everybody in their top 7 besides him to graduation, and the next best kid is gonna be a minute and a half back from him at their best. As a team they'll be weak next year but Mikey will still wreck in Suffolk and nationally.

Man, he's a little cocky. But in an honest and accurate way.

dsfasdfsdfasfsdf wrote:

Man, he's a little cocky. But in an honest and accurate way.

He is, but he's not a jerk. As you can see from the post-race interview video, he says everything that he thinks. That's just how he is. He doesn't think "hey, maybe I shouldn't say this".

The Bayman wrote:

dsfasdfsdfasfsdf wrote:

Man, he's a little cocky. But in an honest and accurate way.

He is, but he's not a jerk. As you can see from the post-race interview video, he says everything that he thinks. That's just how he is. He doesn't think "hey, maybe I shouldn't say this".

I think more people should give interviews like that.

"Well I waited for a while and then I took off and ran faster than them."

Awesome. Thanks for posting. Wish I made my way up there for the race. Great runner. That's no joke of a time on the Bowdoin course, obviously. Can't imagine anyone rooting against this kid. I hope he keeps it up.

Great stuff, honest and sincere. Be all you can be.

Great story, good luck to the kid at NXN.

The Bayman wrote:

dsfasdfsdfasfsdf wrote:

Man, he's a little cocky. But in an honest and accurate way.

He is, but he's not a jerk. As you can see from the post-race interview video, he says everything that he thinks. That's just how he is. He doesn't think "hey, maybe I shouldn't say this".

Exactly, he's not being cocky at all, just saying what he's thinking without worry about what's politically correct like most of us do. Kid is for real, it's refreshing.

Geez, that brought a tear to my eye! Reminds me of a kid who is also autistic that was on my son's team in high school. Running made such a difference in his life also.

Geez, that brought a tear to my eye! Reminds me of a kid who is also autistic that was on my son's team in high school. Running made such a difference in his life also.

dsfasdfsdfasfsdf wrote:

Man, he's a little cocky. But in an honest and accurate way.

The guy is autistic. Look it up, homie.

Got something in my eye there. Awesome story and good luck to Mike at Nike.

This kid is one of the best stories I've heard in a long time. I saw his race at NXN - NY and he dominated some really fantastic runners. Hope he kills it at Nationals.

Maybe there's a lesson in there for some of us...find out what you're good at and 'just do it!' (I hate to quote Nike, but...)

This has completely changed my outlook. Thanks for posting!

Mike is not 'cocky' at all. He is actually very humble. He never lies, or manipulates or shows any guile or maliciousness ever. He would never hurt anyone, ever. He has a tremendous amount of respect for his running peers. He wants to be friends with everyone. He doesn't know any other way to be. The confidence you see has taken years and years to manifest in him. He has worked twice as hard to get half as far as typical kids in every area of his life, for his ENTIRE life. You have no idea the amount of work that I've watched him put in since 18 months old. Things that we take for granted, that come to us naturally, Mikey has had to be taught. He is an inspiration to anyone with or without a disability. He's really a great, sweet and shy kid.

The Bayman wrote:

dsfasdfsdfasfsdf wrote:

Man, he's a little cocky. But in an honest and accurate way.

He is, but he's not a jerk. As you can see from the post-race interview video, he says everything that he thinks. That's just how he is. He doesn't think "hey, maybe I shouldn't say this".

This is great and all, but I beat him through the first 600 meters or so. Y'all better watch out.