Star Northport Runner Reveals Post-Graduation Plans

Northport High School senior Mikey Brannigan isn’t just a regular high school runner.

This Northport Tiger, who happens to be on the autism spectrum, easily leaves the average high school runner in the dust.

The elite prep runner publicly revealed his post-graduation plans shortly after he ran a mile in 4 minutes and 5.78 seconds at the Nike Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday.

After placing second in an elite field at the Prefontaine Classic High School Boys Mile, Brannigan told LetsRun he will run for the New York Athletic Club upon graduation while he attends part-time community college.

NYAC sent Patch a statement regarding the club’s newest addition:

“The NYAC has a long tradition of supporting talented local, national and international caliber athletes. We hope to assist Mikey in these ambitions while also welcoming him and his family to our Club.”

Brannigan is no stranger to national attention on and off the track. He was named Sport Illustrated’s February High School Athlete of the Month and his story of becoming an elite prep runner with autism has gained national attention.

With track times that would easily get him into any top Division 1 NCAA program, followers of the sport wanted to know where Brannigan would take his talents once his prep career came to a close.

Some people questioned whether Brannigan could handle the academic demands of a Division 1 program, but others felt that the Northport Tiger deserved to run among the best.

And he will run among the best as a NYAC athlete once his high school career is over.

Fellow NYAC athlete and 2014 U.S. Marathon Champion Esther Erb expressed her excitement regarding the club’s newest addition. “I’m very proud to call Mikey Brannigan a New York Athletic Club teammate,” Erb wrote on her Facebook page. “He’s an inspiration to all of us.”

Brannigan’s 4:05.78 mile time makes him the No. 4 fastest miler in New York State history. He also became the all-time fastest New York prep runner at the two-mile, running a time of 8 minutes and 42.92 seconds for 3,200 meters. His converted time broke the previous two-mile record of 8 minutes and 48.11 seconds, which was held by 2007 NCAA Cross Country Champion Josh McDougal.

“I’m sure that with the NYAC, Mikey will be able to fulfill his dream of running against the best,” Erb told Patch. “As Olympic legend Al Oerter said, ‘Great things are expected of you when you wear the winged foot.’”

The next big race for Brannigan is the adidas Boys Dream Mile where he will compete against an elite field at Ichan Stadium on Saturday, June 13.

“We are excited to watch Mikey compete for Northport High School next weekend at the adidas Grand Prix and to welcome him to the NYAC upon his high school graduation,” the NYAC stated.

Watch Brannigan tell LetsRun his post-graduation plans:

Image via Screenshot from LetsRun Youtube video