Tanner Balazs has been a big part of the success of the Warsaw boys track team this spring (File photo by Mike Deak)

WARSAW – There’s no substitute for speed.

The Warsaw boys track team has an extra helping of it this spring thanks in large part to a pair of talented newcomers.

The duo of seniors Tanner Balazs and Mike Miller have given the Tigers a dose of dash and a shot of confidence.

The pair of standout sprinters have been great additions to a loaded program that was fifth at the State Finals in 2013. They form half of the outstanding 4 X 100 relay team, which also includes classmates Gabe Furnivall and Tristan McClone. Miller, despite missing time recently due to shin splints, has also given the team quite the 1-2 punch in sprints with McClone.

“Speed,” said Warsaw coach Matt Thacker with a chuckle when asked what the duo bring to the table. “They give us a luxury that we haven’t had in the past and that’s depth in our sprints.

“There’s a confidence with them. They’ve been a welcome addition this year and I’m definitely confident in our 4 X 100 team. You can’t replace kids who are motivated and who work hard. They’ve been a joy to watch.”

Balazs and Miller have helped Warsaw post another undefeated Northern Lakes Conference regular season. The pair were key as the Tigers also won the Goshen Relays title outright for the first time in program history.

They are looking for big things as the “real” season starts Tuesday night when Warsaw hosts the NLC Meet.

“It’s just been a blast for me,” said Balazs. “It’s all fell into place. We just have to keep working hard and pay attention to the little things. It all starts with the NLC, but June 7 (the day of the State Finals) is definitely in the back of our minds. We definitely want to win a state championship.”

Both Balazs and Miller played baseball last spring for the Tigers. The duo then played together over the summer for the Michiana Scrappers. Balazs plans to go on and play football at Wabash College.

“After I got serious about football, track was the best option for me,” said Balazs. “Gabe and Tristan had been in our ears for awhile, telling us we could make an impact this year. It’s just special that all four of us are seniors and we are so close off the track.”

Miller admitted that he didn’t expect this type of success.

“I really never expected this,” said Miller. “It’s been amazing and so much fun to run with these guys. We’re all best friends and always pushing each other to get better.”

Furnivall and McClone, both standouts on the football field last fall for the Tigers, know all about the big stage. Furnivall was a member of the sixth-place 4 X 400 relay team at the State Finals in 2013. He teamed with Wyatt Jones, Nathan Kolbe and Ryan Goon in the event.

“The big thing is that we have a lot of camaraderie and really a special relationship,” noted Balazs.

“They are extremely tight and that’s kind of a rarity in track,” said Thacker of his relay foursome. “All four of them want to succeed. I knew Tanner from football, but none of us knew how fast Mike was. I knew it when he was last out of the blocks at Trine (during the indoor season) and won. I knew then we had true, real speed.”

Miller, who competed in track until the seventh grade, also admits the quartet has a big goal in mind in the postseason.

“We all talk about a state championship,” Miller said. “I love how Tristan is always pushing me. That’s what I love about this team.”

Thacker, who also is an assistant football coach in the fall, sees a strong postseason for his relay team.

“It comes down to the little things, but the goal is to get in the fast heat at State and see what happens,” Thacker stated. “I definitely think that they can get on the awards podium.”

Mike Miller has been a welcome addition to the Warsaw track team this season.