LOCK HAVEN, Pa.; September 16, 2006 - The Penn State Nittany Lions men's cross country team started their season in impressive form today, taking second place at the Lock Haven Invitational. Senior All-American Dan Mazzocco (Pittsburgh, Pa.) claimed the men's individual title, completing the 10,000 meter course in 31:58.85. The Lions placed five runners in the top 15, finishing 14 points behind the University of Pennsylvania.

Mazzocco conserved his energy for the first half of the race before overtaking the field and blazing to the finish. Also scoring for the Lions were senior Chris Nirschel (Pittsburgh, Pa.), who finished in 32:31.75 to take seventh place overall, junior Teddy Quinn (Rush, N.Y.), who followed Nirschel at 32:32.80, sophomore Tyler McCandless (Northampton, Pa.), who placed ninth, clocking in at 32:34.94, and junior Mike Syrnick (Philadelphia, Pa.), who finished 14th overall with a time of 32:52.79.

"I'm very excited about the team's performance today and how we worked together," said Mazzocco. " I think we can improve a lot this season, and we'll take it one step at a time."

Head coach Beth Alford-Sullivan was quick to credit her senior leaders, Mazzocco and Nirschel. "It was great to have individual winners.. (Dan) ran with good composure and executed the race extremely well," said Alford-Sullivan. "The maturity and experience of the men's team showed today, as they opened up and showed a lot of potential for the future."

Both Nittany Lions cross country teams will be in Happy Valley next weekend to host the Spiked Shoe Invitational on September 23.