WHITE PLAINS – Great athletes gather honors over the course of their careers including MVP awards, championships, records, placement on all-time lists of greats, etc. But few can compare with the accolades garnered by Tri-Valley senior three-season runner Adam Furman. 

Just prior to the start of his final tour of duty in spring track before he heads off to West Point, Furman was accorded one of the most prestigious honors, as the winner of the U.S. Track and Field (USATF) NYS High School Boys Youth Cross-Country Athlete of the Year. 

The honor was presented at the eighth annual USATF Awards Celebration. The ceremony also included the USATF 2022 Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in which six officials were given the honor for their many years of dedicated service.

Furman has been prominent on the national radar for his sterling accomplishments in cross-country, indoor track and spring track and field. His name now joins other elite runners who hold USA Track and Field (USATF) recognition. 

This past fall, Furman’s performances were beyond the pale. He recorded first- place finishes at Suffern, Burnt Hills, Bowdoin Park, OCIAA, the State Championship meet and runner up at Federations. Furman won his second consecutive OCIAA championship race in 14:57, recording the first sub-15:00 time in 20 years. 

Needless to say, he repeated as Section IX Class D champion. To win the Athlete of the Year honor that he proudly accepted, Furman already needed to be a member of the USATF. Winners were chosen by a committee who carefully researched the profiles of candidates for each award. Cornwall’s Karrie Baloga was the winner of the USATF Female High School honor. 

With one more season to go this spring in his illustrious high school career, all eyes will be on Furman as well as the powerful Bears team marvelously coached by Chip Furman, Tyler Eckhoff and assisted by Skylar Musa.