Mikey Brannigan Named Male Paralympic Athlete Of The Year

East Northport running star Mikey Brannigan was recently named Male Paralympic Athlete of the Year by the United States Olympic Committee.

Brannigan, a Paralympic gold medalist in 2016, had a stellar 2017 season. He won the men's 1,500 meter race at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational and improved his own world record in the 5,000 meters with a time of 14 minutes and 9.51 seconds at the Mt. SAC Relays. He capped off the season with three world championships medals – including two golds – in the 800, 1,500 and 5,000 meters. He was ranked No. 1 in the men's T20 classification at all three distances.

Brannigan, who has autism, was among five athletes who were named finalists for Male Paralympic Athlete of the Year. Brannigan was presented the award at Team USA Awards held on Nov. 29 at UCLA’s Royce Hall in Los Angeles. The awards show, hosted by singer and actor Mark McGrath, will be televised from 5 to 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 23 on NBC.

Athletes were honored in six categories:

• Female Olympic Athlete of the Year, presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods
• Male Olympic Athlete of the Year
• Olympic Team of the Year, presented by Dow
• Female Paralympic Athlete of the Year
• Male Paralympic Athlete of the Year
• Paralympic Team of the Year, presented by Dow

Online fan voting accounted for 50 percent of the final tally. Members of the Olympic and Paralympic family, including an esteemed panel of Olympic and Paralympic journalists, accounted for the other 50 percent.

More on Brannigan:

• How To Vote For Mikey Brannigan As Male Paralympic Athlete Of The Year
• Paralympic Champion Mikey Brannigan Honored For Accomplishments
• Mikey Brannigan Gets Hero's Welcome at Northport Middle School
• Mikey Brannigan Wins Paralympic Gold
• Mikey Brannigan to Defend World Title at 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio
• Star Northport Runner Reveals Post-Graduation Plans
• Mikey Brannigan Named U.S. Paralympics Male Track Athlete of the Year
• WATCH: Mikey Brannigan Wins Gold at Paralympic World Championships
• Mikey Brannigan Brings Home Another Paralympics World Champs Medal
• WATCH: ESPN Features Mikey Brannigan on 'E:60'

Image via Paralympics Committee from 2015