ALHS Triple Athlete Earns Full Ride to UNC

Mike Parsons is a special kid. A solid student, he is a friend to all a gifted athlete.

 During his four-year high school career, he accomplished something that is pretty rare as a student athlete.  

He won 12 varsity letters during his career at Avon Lake in three sports: track and field, cross-country and swimming. Yet you won't find him tooting his own horn. Instead he attributes his success to his coaches and teammates.

His efforts have not go unnoticed and on a Tuesday afternoon a surrounded by friends and family, he got the ultimate reward: a punched ticket for a free education, signing a letter of intent to participate in both track and field, and cross country at the University of North Carolina - Wilmington, a Division I program. 

The signing was attended by more than 50 family and friends and included comments from his coaches Rob Rocco, Rob Jeurgens, Athletic Director Tom Barone, Principal Dr. Joanie Walker and assistant principal Jim Beatty.

Also in attendance: His parents Steve and Lori, both ALHS class of 1983 graduates, brother Tom and grandfather John Parsons. Lori Parsons is in the Avon Lake Sports Hall of Fame with the girls 1983 basketball team.

Mike Parsons said he is ready for the move to UNC. 

"What appealed to me from the start was the location," Parsons said. "I train all winter long here in the cold and bad weather and the fact it is five minutes from the beach was very appealing. But after I went down there and visited with the coach and people, I knew it was the place I wanted to go."

Not in his wildest dreams though, did he ever think all the time and effort pounding the pavement would matriculate into a long-term career.

"Not at all. When I first did it in seventh grade, I basically did track because all my friends were doing it," Parsons said with a laugh. "So no, I would have never imagined I would be running in college on a Division I team."

UNC Wilmington competes in the Colonial Athletic Association, which includes schools such as William and Mary and James Madison University. In cross country last season, UNC beat 26 of 34 teams at the NCAA South regional meet in Louisville.

"I like the fact they are an up-and-coming team," Parsons said. "They broke a lot of records this year, and the program looks like it has a great future ahead of it." 

Parson's said that his coaches have had an influence on his career, but the biggest influence that he has had comes none other than from his family.

"There have been a lot of people who have influenced me like my coaches, friends and family," Parson said. "But my parents and grandparents--I would have to say were definitely the biggest influence."

As for his career at Avon Lake, where there have been many milestones, such as being named the SWC cross country MVP this past fall, two are especially meaningful to him.

"Winning the conference two mile in track my junior year and the cross country individual title this year," he said. "Those were my most memorable. That was awesome."