• racin1234321
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/5/2013 9:32AM - in reply to HEY LRC! This is awesome!
      • racin1234321
      • This is great and all, but I beat him through the first 600 meters or so. Y'all better watch out.
    • kmaclam
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/5/2013 10:58AM - in reply to racin1234321
      • kmaclam
      • Humble doesn't even begin to describe this young man. You couldn't meet a nicer kid & a better sport whether he wins or loses. This sport of running is one where the autistic population has a 'level playing field' against typical athletes. Mikey is just the first of many to come. The floodgates are now open. Congrats to Rolling Thunder and athletes with autism everywhere!
    • thanks mom and dad
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/5/2013 12:17PM - in reply to kmaclam
      • thanks mom and dad
      • Great story

        Going from non-verbal, close to being institutionalized to giving that winning interview to the NXNNYNE crowd.

        Imagine how proud parents were at that moment.

        In fact- hope there were equally as proud of themselves, as this story would not have happened without parents that go the extra extra extra mile - so to speak.
    • activity engagement
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/5/2013 12:34PM - in reply to thanks mom and dad
      • activity engagement
      • I shared this story with my college classmates yesterday since we're in a pediatrics class & learning about autism. We were all inspired & reminded of the potential in kids with autism.

        Great story. Thanks for sharing.
    • PKING-1957
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/5/2013 1:56PM - in reply to racin1234321
      • PKING-1957
      • Indeed a great kid and super runner as I found out back in August of 2012 when I was in a race that he won by a half minute over a not too shabby field. Talking with him afterwards I learned that he doesn't really understand standard XC humor, which is probably a good thing and is an element of autism. But really inquisitive and talkative, and it was plain then as a rising sophomore that he would be a big force in NY running. All the Northport parents love him, which is always a good marker for a kid on a team.

        Can't say I stuck with for 600m in the race up at Pawling, but I wasn't that far behind at the 6 meter mark.
    • dsfasdfsdfasfsdf
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/5/2013 2:06PM - in reply to Elf in the Box
      • dsfasdfsdfasfsdf
      • Elf in the Box wrote:
        dsfasdfsdfasfsdf wrote:
        Man, he's a little cocky. But in an honest and accurate way.
        The guy is autistic. Look it up, homie.
        I know that. I mean, the title of the thread indicated that. Use your head.
    • Flagpole
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/5/2013 3:07PM - in reply to HEY LRC! This is awesome!
      • Flagpole
      • Man, that is an awesome story. Sometimes I think we look too hard for feel good stories that don't really have much to them, but this one is the real deal. What a great story.
    • On the autistic spectrum
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/5/2013 3:50PM - in reply to Edie Brannigan
      • On the autistic spectrum
      • >> He never lies, or manipulates or shows any guile or maliciousness ever. He would never hurt anyone, ever.
    • The Bayman
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/5/2013 4:52PM - in reply to Edie Brannigan
      • The Bayman
      • Edie Brannigan wrote:
        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".
        I don't doubt anything you just said. Mikey and the Northport crew are definitely some of the hardest workers in the county and you guys earned your way to Portland. I honestly can't fathom how much Mikey's had to learn and practice to get where he's at now but I tip my hat to him. He keeps it real plus he's a nice kid. THAT is a great combo.
    • Porthnort Fan
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/5/2013 6:14PM - in reply to Edie Brannigan
      • Porthnort Fan
      • I currently run with 2 of his former HS teammates in college now, and, as far as I've heard (and now read), he's earned everything so far. Sounds like a great kid and I'm sure he'll continue to have a great deal of support behind him. I wish him the best of luck at NXNs, cant wait to see Northport kick some ass
    • ddddd
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/5/2013 8:07PM - in reply to racin1234321
      • ddddd
      • I've raced against him a few times this year and saw a few over the past 3 years. The kid is an animal. It's like he can't feel pain.
    • Ca$hclay
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/5/2013 9:40PM - in reply to ddddd
      • Ca$hclay
      • Might be the coolest thing I've read/seen all year. There was an autistic kid on my cc team in HS who was kind of bada$$ runner when he wanted to be. This guy reminds me of him.
    • boss
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/6/2013 12:18AM - in reply to Porthnort Fan
      • boss
      • I know who you are.
        Porthnort Fan wrote:
        I currently run with 2 of his former HS teammates in college now, and, as far as I've heard (and now read), he's earned everything so far. Sounds like a great kid and I'm sure he'll continue to have a great deal of support behind him. I wish him the best of luck at NXNs, cant wait to see Northport kick some ass
    • John C NYC
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/6/2013 1:58AM - in reply to HEY LRC! This is awesome!
      • John C NYC
      • I was at the NXN NY race and was blown away by this kids run! I had no idea that he was autistic until I read about it later in the week. This is truly inspiring. I am going to follow Mike's career going forward. 15:29 on Bowdoin is just a monster performance. This kid is going to be fun to watch. Go get them in Portland Mikey!
    • Porthnort Fan
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/6/2013 8:59AM - in reply to boss
      • Porthnort Fan
      • boss wrote:
        I know who you are.
        Porthnort Fan wrote:
        I currently run with 2 of his former HS teammates in college now, and, as far as I've heard (and now read), he's earned everything so far. Sounds like a great kid and I'm sure he'll continue to have a great deal of support behind him. I wish him the best of luck at NXNs, cant wait to see Northport kick some ass
        Y' know, eh, that's great. I'm just glad to see Mikey doing well, regardless of who I am.
    • racin1234321
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/6/2013 9:21AM - in reply to Porthnort Fan
      • racin1234321
      • I love you.
        Porthnort Fan wrote:

        boss wrote:
        I know who you are.
        Porthnort Fan wrote:
        I currently run with 2 of his former HS teammates in college now, and, as far as I've heard (and now read), he's earned everything so far. Sounds like a great kid and I'm sure he'll continue to have a great deal of support behind him. I wish him the best of luck at NXNs, cant wait to see Northport kick some ass
        Y' know, eh, that's great. I'm just glad to see Mikey doing well, regardless of who I am.
    • IN coach
      • RE: Autistic High Schooler Qualifies for NXN 12/6/2013 10:40AM - in reply to racin1234321
      • IN coach
      • one of the top 800/1600/3200 runners from Indiana last year has autism, Robert Murphy. he is in his freshman year at Vincennes I believe