High school senior overcomes autism to break running records

NORTHPORT -- It started out as a way to overcome adversity. But now, one Long Island teenager is making history.

Mike Branniagan is the fastest two-mile high school runner in the country, yet the Northport High School senior suffers from a severe form of autism.

The track is where Brannigan feels the most at home, because for him, it's not just about running.

"Running helps me get through life and helps me achieve my goals," he said. "I'm very proud... Because I have a coach and I have supporters, and my family and my Northport community."

Brannigan's personal best two-mile race is 8 minutes and 42 seconds.

"When he's on the track, he's just a phenomenal athlete," assistant coach Bill Miller said. "Tremendous amount of dedication to it. He's like a rock legend in the running world - both here on Long Island and around the country."

Brannigan was recently named as Sports Illustrated High School Athlete of the Month, and his teammates say he is an inspiration for the entire squad.

They had nothing but praise to offer.

"He's doing extremely well this season," James Donohue said. "We definitely look up to him a lot."

Teammate Tyler Dollhausen tells us, "He's an amazing runner, no matter what. That's all that really matters."

And Sam Napoli says, "He's a very inspirational person. It's a story you won't hear much about."

As for Brannigan, he wants to run in college. And he has a message for other kids who suffer from autism:

"Just do what you love to do," he said. "Don't be affected by who you are. You have many talents, and you can find it."

Also on Brannigan's to-do list is competing in the Paralympics in Brazil in 2016.