Mitch Hubner: It's Going To Take A Little Heart And Lots Of Guts

Mitch Hubner doesn't even remember what place he got at the Indiana State Cross Country Championships his freshman year. All he knows is it was around 100th. Good guess. The LaPorte star crossed the line in 17:00. The past three seasons have been a different story. Hubner finished 33rd as a sophomore and 10th in 2010. Now in his senior season, he is peaking at the right time.  At the Chesterton Sectional  Hubner ran a season best time of 15:41.40 at the Chesterton Sectionals and following that up with a 15:49.00 win at the New Prairie Regional.

"The wind was blowing pretty dang hard and nobody really wanted to run up front at a hard pace. About 400 meters into race Valpo had a pack of about six leading the whole race slowing the pace way down to where I felt like I was out for a Sunday jog. I decided I would make a move or just get up to a pace I felt confident with. I took off and nobody went with me so I was running alone for the rest of the race. I went through the mile at about 4:50 and the two mile at about ten minutes."

Hubner's time was nearly sixteen seconds faster than the nearest competitor.  The senior and the rest of his teammates will  have more matchups with a tough Valparaiso team at Semi-States and at States.  Hubner insists even though the two schools are 25 minutes apart it's not a rivalry.

"Valpo has some guys that will give me a race like normal. I'm friends with all of them though. We are racing around each other so much I don't know what would happen if we didn't get along. At the end of the race we always congratulate each other no matter who wins."

His training has been consistent the past couple weeks in order to be the best when it matters the most. The squad has been doing a mix of easy runs and speed workouts, but he says the weather has made it a lot more challenging with the change in temperature.

"The easy runs go from 6-10 miles. Are workouts usually consist of 200 repeats to 1000 repeats. We are working on tapering for Semi-State and the state finals."

At the state championship meet the top fifteen runners make the podium. Last year it took breaking sixteen minutes to get there. Hubner's personal best is 15:33. To make it to the top he knows it will take maximum effort.

"I hope to get top five. I know it's going to be a tough race though. I guess it will take a little bit of heart and a lot of guts."


Getting To Know Mitch
 

What are your hobbies outside of running? 

I like to hangout with friends, ride my motorcycle, hangout with the horses, go shooting, paintballing, and did I mention hanging out with my friends. I'm just a social person so anything that has to do with people and just having fun is what I like to do.

What will you remember the most from your four years at LaPorte?

I think the most memorable moments would have to be going to FCA Camp and getting to experience and meet all the amazing people and get to grow in with those people and with myself. FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) is a big part of my life. I am the Vice President this year. Faith plays a big part in my life as a whole both running and non running.

What are your college plans?

Right now they are kind of undecided. I have been talking to a lot of coaches, but haven't made any steps in the direction of one college. I am looking for a college that fits me and will help me get a degree in either sales, agriculture, or law enforcement. I am not totally sure yet, but I also want to go somewhere that will keep my faith strong. That doesn't mean I have to go to a christian college. I am waiting to make any big decisions until after I take some college visits and after the season is over, after NXN and Foot Locker qualifying races.
 

     Personal Bests
 

  •      1600 Meter Run

    4:24.02

  • 5000 Meter Run

    15:33.90

 


 

 

   Mitch's Athlete Profile
 

     LaPorte Team Page