Logic says Penn State's men's track and field team should not have won its first meet of the 2004 season at home this weekend. That logic was laid to rest as the Nittany Lions won the U.S. Coaches Association Series Meet on Saturday.

Lack of depth could have been a disadvantage, but the Lions overcame it to snatch first place with 102 points, beating out Cornell (94.5), and Rutgers (81), among others in the 16-team competition.

Leading the way for the Lions was Ernie Terrell, a member of the Penn State football team, took first in the 200-meters with a time of 21.43 seconds, a NCAA provisional qualifying time.

Terrell also finished third in the 60-meter dash with a time of 6.89 seconds. It was a performance that Terrell was relatively happy with his performance in the first meet of the season.

"I just do what I come to do," Terrell said. "I just come out to win the race and do the best I can."

Also picking up a first-place finish was junior Jaret Campisi, who won the 400-meters in a time of 47.63 seconds, which was also a NCAA provisional qualifying time.

The Lions also had success in the field events with senior Diamond Woolford picking up a second-place finish in the long jump with a leap of 22-7 1/4 feet.

Dan Miller came in third in the shot put with a throw of 54-6 1/2 feet and senior Aaron Moss also had a third-place finish in the weight throw.

Overall the Lions were happy with their performance.

"We are really satisfied with where we are," Penn State men's track and field coach Harry Groves said.

He added that the team has been practicing with a late-season peaking training method and therefore none of the athletes were "sharp."

In spite of the win, the Nittany Lions believe they can do a lot better.

"It is an opening meet," Campisi said. "So taking that into consideration, it's all right."

Even though, it has a young team, Penn State did not allow that to be a factor in its performances.

"We did pretty good, lots of young guys stepped up," Terrell said. "We are very confident. We got our experience this time and next week is pretty much practice."

With a win under its belt, the focus is now on next weekend's meet at West Point, N.Y.