Michael Mangus signs with Division I Northern Kentucky University

Fairfield senior Michael Mangus has signed his National Letter of Intent to run Division I cross-country and track & field for the Northern Kentucky University Norse, starting this fall.

Mangus' scholarship is for both academics and athletics. It is believed Mangus is the first Fairfield athlete to earn a Division I collegiate scholarship for athletics.

A three-time OHSAA Division III State qualifier in cross-country and one-time state qualifier in track & field, Mangus said the decision to attend NKU was good for him — athletically and academically — for the next step of both aspects of his career.

"I like how many different majors they have to choose from, as I'm a student who is undecided about my major, so that was a good thing," he said. "I've worked really hard on both (academics and running), and I'm glad it is paying off. I just want to continue to do that at the next level."

This fall, Mangus was fourth in the state cross-country championships with a time of 16:13.21, an average mile time of 5:13.3. As a junior, Mangus placed 14th overall at state. In his senior postseason this year, Mangus was sixth at regionals and won the district championship.

In Division III State track & field, Mangus qualified for the 3200-meter run as a junior.

During the winter months, the FHS senior raced at the State Indoor Track Championships, where he was fourth in the 1600m run at 4:30.04. He also raced in the 3200m run less than an hour later that day for a time of 9:42.78.

FHS cross-country coach Raymond Friend spoke highly of Mangus.

"Michael has been so easy to coach because everything he's got, he's earned, whether it be grades or his running," Friend said. "He works extremely hard at it, and that is why he's getting to go to college for free, because of his work ethic.

"It has been a joy to have him on my cross-country team for the last six years (middle school/high school) because he sets the example all the time in the offseason. He makes the coaches' job pretty simple.

"I brought some of my younger runners to this signing just to see this, because of what he has got from running and what he's received, because he has put the hard work in. They can see the fruits of his labor."

Mangus is ready for the next level of competition, though Division I was never the goal.

"I'm very excited to compete at the Division I level," he said. "My goal wasn't particularly to go to a Division I school, because I looked at schools in other divisions and NAIA as well. The final decision just ended up being Division I, but I think I can compete in the next couple years.

"Being able to practice with guys who are better than I am, every day, all year long … that competition excites me. It will make me better."

He ended by just saying thanks.

"I want to thank my parents and my coaches," Mangus said. "NKU is just a place that is on the rise, and it will be a really good fit."

NKU competes in the Atlantic Sun Conference, with nine men's sports.