For many athletes, being named an All-American is a great ending to a career. Junior distance runner Dan Mazzocco, on the other hand, is using his All-American status as a springboard to bigger and better things.

At the NCAA cross country championships in November, Mazzocco finished 43rd in the field of 253 runners. The top-30 American finishers are named All-Americans, and because of the large number of foreign-born runners in the field, Mazzocco finished among that top 30 and earned the honor.

But Mazzocco is not satisfied with that standing.

"I want to be top 25 overall, with the foreign-born runners," he said just before departing on a training run.

Although he is hoping to do well this winter season, he is using it as a way to improve during the outdoor season and continue into the cross country season next year. When asked about his goals for the upcoming indoor season he said, "I want to run quick times in all of my distances and I want to prep for the outdoor season."

Penn State coach Harry Groves, who heads both the men's cross country and track and field teams, has added that Mazzocco came into Penn State with great potential. But because of a multitude of injuries and health problems, including a stress fracture, asthma and allergies, he was sidelined during his freshman cross country and indoor track seasons.

These injuries and health problems stunted his growth on the track, but after his finish at the NCAA championships it would appear that he might be on his way back to big things.

"When he was younger, he beat the kids that finished ahead of him [at the cross country championships], but then he got injured and it stopped his growth," Groves said.

Groves also added that Mazzocco is "filled with talent," and has the potential to finish in the top 25 if he keeps improving and working toward his goals.

The upcoming indoor track season gives him the opportunity to improve, but also to stay healthy. The team will compete in four regular season events followed by the Big Ten Championships, the Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America (IC4A) Championships and the NCAA Championships to close out the season.

With the team's first meet not until Jan. 14, Mazzocco will have a chance to recuperate and energize himself coming off of cross country season and get ready for the spring.

But the winter season also provides some valuable competition, which can push a runner and give a sense of standing among the nation's elite.

Before the cross country season, Groves made a bet with Mazzocco for the season: if Mazzocco earned All-American honors, Groves would give him a team USA track suit from the 1992 Olympics, when Groves coached the Olympians.

Mazzocco is glad to get the team USA gear, but again uses it as an incentive.

"I want to get a real one for myself, the hard way."