Tony Gabriel

Considered Taylor High School’s best all-around athlete ever, Tony Gabriel was a four-sport standout before becoming the state’s finest racquetball player of his era.

Gabriel won 12 letters at Taylor in track, cross country, baseball and basketball and was an all-conference selection in three of those sports before graduating in 1972. The 5-foot-9, 145-pounder continued on to play baseball and basketball at Polk Community College in Florida and Sterling College in Kansas.

Gabriel began playing racquetball in 1978 and elevated his game to a level few reach. Over a 12-year span, he advanced to the Indiana State Racquetball Association’s open class championship 11 times — winning state titles in 1982, 1988 and 1991. He also played on doubles teams that won four state open championships.

His greatest accomplishment came while twice winning the Open Midwest Regional, a tournament that drew champions from five states. He was inducted into the state association’s Hall of Fame in 1996.