University Park, PA - Penn State cross country freshman runner Mike Gioia, earned an eighth-place finish out of 58 runners in the 2002 USA Trials for the World Cross Country Championships Junior's Division on Saturday, Feb. 9, in Vancouver, WA. Gioia's top ten finish came in a time of 25:36.1.

The junior division is comprised of the top collegiate and high school runners in the United States that are 19-years-old and younger. The race was held at the 8,000 meter race course on the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

Penn State volunteer assistant coach Matt Moran competed in the senior's division of the race (4,000 meters), and earned a 33rd place finish out of 78 runners in a time of 12:18.