Nittany Lion men's cross country runner Dan Mazzocco earned All-America status at yesterday's NCAA Men's Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Ind. Mazzocco becomes Penn State's 46th MXC All-American.

State College, Pa. - November 22, 2005 - Penn State Nittany Lion cross country runner Dan Mazzocco (Pittsburgh, Pa.) earned All-America Status at Monday's NCAA Cross Country Championships held at Terra Haute, Ind.

The junior from Pittsburgh, Pa., placed 43rd at the event with a time of 30:23.8. The top 30 finishers and top 30 U.S. citizens earned All-America laurels at the race, which featured 253 runners. At the 8K mark, with 2K to go, Mazzocco was in 58th place. In the final 2K, he made an amazing move to 43rd to secure All-America status.

"Dan has come a long way after having been hampered by injuries over the last couple years," veteran head coach Harry Groves said. "He's finally found out that relaxing prior to a race is the key to success. Also, a good of the credit for getting Dan ready physically and mentally goes to Penn State athletic trainer Adam Olsausky, who did an outstanding job with Dan in Terre Haute."

Mazzocco earned an at-large bid to the championships after a solid finish at the Mid-Atlantic Regional. The junior, who returns for his senior season next year, earned the 46th All-America tag in Penn State history. Mazzocco is Groves' 23rd cross country All-American and 227th All-American for cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field at Penn State.