Hall of Fame induction: 2005
In 1959, Mike was the junior high 660-yard champion (1:29.7), The next year, Laurel High School discontinued a short-lived (1957-1959) track program. Although allowed to continue representing Laurel individually, he was essentially “self-coached” and limited to 3-4 meets per year. As a 15-year-old sophomore Mike won 1960’s State Open half-mile (1:59.3). After tying the state high school at Milford’s 1961 invitational (2:00.0), he went on to win the State high school half-mile (2:00.3). As a senior, just prior to a midseason ending bout of mononucleosis, Mike set a 1962 Delaware state high school half-mile record (1:59.9).
After training in Australia with the legendary Percy Cerutty, went on some notable performances at the University of Delaware. Enrolling in the University’s spring semester, Mike won 1964’s MAC outdoor freshman mile in a record-breaking 4:21.5. As a fall semester freshman, he ran a then record 14:59 on the old White Clay Creek 3-mile cross-country course. And, as a 1965 spring semester sophomore, Mike was part of University record setting 2-mile (1:53.6) and 4-mile (4:16.5) relay teams. The latter still stands.