New York – Mike Brannigan 17, has autism and is obsessed with running and is one of the top ten high school runners in the country, he can run a mile in four minutes and seven seconds flat. He runs every day of the week covering a distance of over sixty miles.
NBC News state that whenever he runs he’s able to hyper-focus on speed.
“I love to work hard and have fun. And just beat my personal best and keep improving to that next level,”
Brannigan has been contacted by more than two hundred colleges including the University of Colorado, the University of Oregon, Duke, Georgetown, Syracuse, Wisconsin, UNC, Virginia and Stanford.
During his early years doctors believed that he would need a special school and a group home. He is now a senior at Northport public High School on New York’s Long Island.
His mother, Edie Brannigan said:
“It has allowed him to focus — in such a way that his academics soared after he started running. It was something in his brain was able to calm down and focus on the academics.”
Mrs Brannigan went on to explain that they’ll need to find a school that will support her son academically.
Mike Brannigan is determined to become a professional athlete. with one day hoping to reach the Olympics.
“Wearing my USA jersey, and representing my country… and the whole nation… a whole America watching me.”
The original story by Kate Snow on the NBC News website can be read here
