Midterms.

While many Penn State students were studying for midterms this week, the Penn State men's cross country team was working towards its midterm, tomorrow's Penn State Run at the Blue and White Courses.

Nittany Lions coach Harry Groves said this race is the final chance for players on the team to prove whether they will be on the squads that race in the Pre-National and following races.

"It's put up or shut up time," Groves said.

Like a midterm, this race will give the team a gage to see how far they have come and where they need to go over the next few weeks.

Sophomore runner Chris Foster said that he did not know a lot of information about many of the teams Penn State will be racing tomorrow, but that there will be many good individual runners.

"This meet is a real eye-opener," Groves said. "It's going to point out what we've got and where we're going."

A majority of the students at Penn State will be leaving campus this weekend, however, the team will be in town to compete in the Run tomorrow morning at 11:00.

"I like it that way," said junior Scott Munro.

He said he likes racing over the break because he can stay on campus and focus on schoolwork.

Munro said the break from classes also helps the team.

"It [fall break] allows us to have four straight days where everyone can practice," Munro said.

Munro also talked about freshman Dan Mazzocco's season-ending injury. Munro suffered an injury during his sophomore season and said he understands what Mazzocco will go through.

"Injuries are a part of this sport," Munro said. "I think he'll be fine. He's got a good head on his shoulders."

Mazzocco, who has a stress fracture, said he is disappointed about missing the rest of the season, but he is trying to look at the positives.

Mazzocco said he ran well with an injury this year, so next year should be even better.

"It's not the end of the world," Groves said, adding that because Mazzocco only competed in two races, he should be able to keep his freshman eligibility.

Groves said most of the competition in tomorrow's Run would come from the University of Guelth and club teams such as the Nittany Spiked Shoe.