Brannigan in the mix, finishes near the back 

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Mike Brannigan gave it his best effort on Saturday at the Millrose Games in the high school boys mile. It's all anyone can do, really. 

Chronicled earlier in the week for his becoming one of the first Division-I caliber high school runners with autism, Brannigan of Northport NY lined up at The Armory ready to try and win one of the toughest mile races in the country. 

He was still battling for the win with about 200 meters to go when he began to slow down. He finished 13th out of 14 competitors but jogged most of the last 160 meters. 

"He's a little uncomfortable in a crowd," Northport coach Jason Strom said. "He was anxious and tense. He was running very tight and his body sort of ran out of energy. It sort of shut down on him."

Strom said he felt convinced that if Brannigan could have stayed relaxed he would have been in shape to contend for the win. As it was, Brannigan's teammate, Tim McGowan, ran a great race and placed second in 4:10.28. The race winner was Luke Gavigan of Tappan Zee NY.

Brannigan took a little time to calm down but was in fine spirits again after the race. 

"He's doing good," Strom said. "He has an upbeat personality. He was already looking ahead to next year and trying to win the race."