Boys Cross Country: LaPorte’s Mitch Hubner slicing his own path

Mitch Hubner is contemplating a career in law enforcement when he heads to college next fall.

Considering the way the LaPorte standout ran all season — laying down the law on cross country trails throughout the state — it might be a wise decision.

Hubner won sectional, regional and semistate titles in dominating fashion, before placing second at the state meet to North Central’s Futsum Zeinasellassie.

All Zeinasellassie did was establish a new state record for the largest margin of victory, finishing 44.1 seconds ahead of Hubner.

“It was definitely a good way to end my high school career,” said Hubner, the Post-Tribune’s Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.

Hubner’s time of 15:32.9 at state might have been good enough to win most years.

“Finishing second at state was pretty much like first place for me,” Hubner said. “Futsum is the best of the best, if not the best. We weren’t even thinking about that. He wasn’t in my mind at all.”

What was in Hubner’s mind was being the best he could possibly be — and he definitely illustrated that in nearly all his races.

“This year was definitely my best year,” said Hubner, who finished 10th at state as a junior last year. It was definitely an awesome season. Going into the state meet, I knew if I had a good race, I’d have the option to go to the (Mideast) All-Star Race and compete with a lot of the top runners (from Michigan, Ohio and Illinois) — guys I’d be racing against, or with, in college.”

Hubner isn’t sure where he’ll end up running at the next level but wants to stay within a few hours of home.

Schools he’s interested in include IUPUI, Illinois State and Indiana State.

Regardless of where he ends up competing, Hubner is going to provide the school he chooses with a heck of a runner.

At the Foot Locker Midwest Regional in Kenosha, Wis., this past weekend, Hubner finished 16th (15:33) in the seeded boys 5K race.

What makes Hubner such a great runner?

“Honestly, I think he’s just a very competitive kid,” LaPorte coach Tim Beres said. “In addition to his natural ability, he’s a big kid, and he’s a strong kid. He’s not afraid and he doesn’t get intimidated. He truly loves running and he’s always willing to challenge himself physically.

“Mitch has a great work ethic and a really positive attitude toward running. He’s just been so consistent. He’s a real good kid who’s eager to please.”

Hubner always dreamt of running for the Slicers.

In fact, Beres said he was always interested in the history of the program.

As a seventh-grader, he had the opportunity to run with some of his idols.

One of those individuals was Mike Fout — who won the Foot Locker cross country national title as a senior in 2007.

Fout offered Hubner advice about running and gave him a few tips.

Hubner also looked up to Corbin Slater, and Matt Miller, a couple other  former Slicers. He actually ran with Miller, now at Belmont University.

Those former Slicers helped lay the foundation for Hubner’s future success.

“I’ve been around some pretty good runners in our program,” he said.

“Through training, you get stronger, your body gets stronger and you become faster. I learned how to race and be a tough runner. Corbin was always pushing you harder and working hard. He was very dedicated, and so was Miller.

“One thing I always remember Miller saying, was: ‘You’re not a good runner until you push yourself as hard as you think you possibly can, and when you start to think you can’t do it anymore — and you feel like stopping and sitting down — then you push yourself even harder.’ That’s something I’ve definitely learned to do.”

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