State College, Pa. October 11, 2005 - The Penn State Nittany Lion men's cross country team will host the Penn State National on Saturday 10:45 a.m. at the Penn State Blue Course. Forty-Seven teams and a total of over 500 runners will take part in the 5.2-mile race.

Five of the nation's nine regions will be represented at the event, including national powers Texas A&M, Eastern Michigan, Providence and American University, one of the top teams in Penn State's region. Guelph University out of Canada will also be in attendance along with local and regional rivals, Akron, Kentucky, Pitt and Penn.

"This race will feature some of the best teams in the country," veteran head coach Harry Groves said. "Plus, quite a few of the nation's best runners will take part, making this one heavy race as far as talent goes."

The Penn State National has grown in popularity and importance over the past years. Last year, 300 runners competed, one of the largest groups in Penn State history. This season, over 500 will take part, including the defending team champion, the Speed River Track Club of Ontario.

Penn State will be led by junior Dan Mazzocco (Pittsburgh, Pa.). Mazzocco has been Penn State's top runner all season. The National will be the Nittany Lions' final meet leading up to the 2005 Big Ten Championships, held in Minneapolis on Oct. 30.