Warsaw senior Gabe Furnivall is proudly carrying on a family tradition on the track (File photo by Jim Harris)

WARSAW – Gabe Furnivall admits that his last name provides plenty of fuel for him in athletics.

It’s a moniker that has driven the senior standout to become a huge part of the success of an outstanding Warsaw boys track team.

The name Furnivall, as in Gabe’s father Troy, is synonymous with excellence in the annals of Warsaw track.

In fact, it is the standard of excellence.

Troy, now an assistant coach with Matt Thacker’s terrific team, was a state champion in the 400 and runner-up in the 200 in 1982. He won a National Indoor Championshop in 1982 in the 440 and was third in the 880.

The elder Furnivall, who ran at Purdue and is a member of the IATCCC Hall of Fame, still holds the school record in the 400 at 47.10.

“It comes with a lot of expectations, but I use it as my fuel,” said Gabe about being part of the Furnivall family. “I know that my Dad is extremely proud of me.  I’ve gotten to meet a lot of people because of what my Dad did and that’s been pretty cool.”

The younger Furnivall sure made the “old” man one proud papa last week. Gabe, after already qualifying for the State Finals earlier in the 400, took the anchor leg of the final event of the regional and raced Warsaw to a win in the 4 X 400 relay and its second straight regional championship in the process.

“It was so emotional for me,” said Troy about watching his son hold off Penn star Tim Deal for the victory. “I was just thinking how proud I was of him. A half hour earlier, after he ran the 400, I didn’t know if he could do that.

“Gabe has grown up in a loving, but very competitive atmosphere. I think being my son has been a double-edged sword for him. I think though that it fuels him and it’s a positive.

“This isn’t about me. I did my thing back then. This is about Gabe and all the other guys on this team and what they have accomplished. I enjoy all these guys on this team.”

Gabe Furnivall and his father Troy are set for State on Saturday.

Gabe is set to compete in three events Saturday in his final high school meet at the State Finals in Bloomington. He will run the 400 and then team with fellow seniors Ryan and Chad Goon and sophomore Landan Perry in the 4  X 400 relay and seniors Michael Miller, Tristan McClone and Tanner Balazs in the 4 X 100 relay.

“I’d like to see those guys set the records in the 4 X 400 and the 4 X 100,” said Troy. “It would be nice to have another Furnivall name on our record board. I take pride in that. I know that drove me when I was here.”

Gabe, who will play football at Saint Joseph’s College in the fall, admits that he has come on late in his prep athletic career.

“I’m definitely a late bloomer when it comes to track,” said Gabe. “I had decent speed in elementary school, but everyone was faster than me in middle school. I’ve worked hard and feel like I’ve come really far on the track.”

“I just feel like this entire senior class is the heart and soul of our team this year. I like being a leader. Trying to set the right example and just being a friend to my teammates.”

Coach Matt Thacker, who is also an assistant coach with the Tiger football program, agrees with one of the members of his stellar senior class.

“Gabe has worked hard to become the runner he is now,” said Thacker. “He just keeps coming and is always in attack mode. It’s the same thing on the football field with him.

“You can’t teach speed. It’s just a joy to watch Gabe. I think that he’s blessed to have his father help him. It’s different and tough to coach your own kid, but it’s a good thing for them and for us.”

Both Furnivalls admit to not always seeing eye to eye.

“We do butt heads sometimes,” said Troy with a slight smile crossing his face. “I had to throw him out of practice on the first day this year.”

“We butt heads a lot,” stated Gabe. “We have different ideas at times about things. My Dad is right, but I’m still right a lot too.”

Spoken like a true competitor fueled by one fine name.