Hubbard beginning future on right foot

If Penn State track athlete Joe Hubbard is running around the track with his right shoe taped, don't think he is strange -- he just wants to avoid another embarrassing incident.

During a cross country meet in high school, Hubbard's right shoe came off while he was running in the mud. He had no time to put his shoe back on, so he continued to run in the mud and rain with only one shoe.

Since that incident, Hubbard said he always tapes his right shoe so it won't come off during competition.

Before he had to start taping his shoe on the track, Hubbard started running on the soccer field. Growing up in Batavia, Ill., he realized track might be a sport he would be good in after playing soccer.

"I found out I could run up and down the field well," he said, "so I decided to go out for track."

Penn State coach Harry Groves is glad Hubbard did. He said Hubbard has done what he expected of him at this point in his career.

- Penn State coach Harry Groves

"He competes strong and scores well," Groves said. "He has a type of mental psyche that carries to other guys on the team."

During Hubbard's senior year in high school, he ran against strong competition and was noticed by other Big Ten universities. Hubbard turned them down and packed his track shoes for Penn State.

"I saw the campus with my father and talked to Groves on the phone," Hubbard said. "I knew I wanted to come here because Groves was one of the better coaches I talked to."

Hubbard runs in different events, such as the 800-meter, distance medley and the 4x400 meter relay. In the 4x400, Hubbard runs the second leg which he said is the least strategic leg of the race.

He was placed in the relay due to the lack of depth last year and has seemed to take advantage of the opportunity.

"I am glad he's running the second leg," teammate Joe Loner said. "You always get a consistent leg out of him."

Along with running in the 4x400, Loner and Hubbard compete against each other in the 800 meters. Hubbard said he doesn't hesitate to push Loner during competition.

"If he slows down during a race," Hubbard said, "I won't hesitate to pass him. We try to keep each other going."

Groves is pleased with Hubbard for dropping three seconds off of his 800-meter time from last year. Hubbard said the 800-meter is difficult to compete in. Speed and endurance are important because the runners' legs start to burn during the race.

Hubbard and Loner both encourage each other to work harder during practice. And it carries over to their performances during meets.

Groves said Hubbard and Loner have shown good team work in the 800 meters during recent meets.

"When Loner is in the lead," Groves said, "he pulls to the side and lets Hubbard get into second place. They then block the competition and finish one-two."

The Lions have one more meet this weekend at home before heading to Purdue University for the Big Ten Championships. Hubbard said he is looking forward to the individual and team competition. Penn State is looking to improve from last year's championships, where the Lions finished in last place.

Hubbard said this year will be different.

"This year as a team we have so much potential," he said. "We think we can do a lot of damage."

Individually, Hubbard said his goals during competition are to place in the 800-meter, distance medley and the 4x400 meter relay.

That may require some extra tape.