"We share so much pain, after a while you form a bond," junior Michael Syrnick said.

The men's cross country team is beginning this season with a positive attitude and an emphasis on teamwork. The team completed three weeks of practice today and is ready to compete in its first meet of the season. The Nittany Lions will run the Lock Haven Invitational, in Lock Haven, Pa. tomorrow at 10 a.m.

This race will give the runners a chance to test the course since it will be the site of the NCAA regional championship. New head coach Beth Alford-Sullivan says this weekend will be low-key, but also exciting.

Last year, the Nittany Lions placed ninth in the Big Ten. This year, they are hoping to make in impact in the conference.

"The season looks great," Alford- Sullivan said. "We're really excited about it."

Penn State did not graduate any runners last year so the team remains solid. Senior Dan Mazzocco leads the Lions with impressive running times and is hoping to capture his second All-America recognition this year, as he did in 2005.

Syrnick is enthusiastic about this meet and sees it as a chance to gauge each runner's potential while catching a glimpse at the "practice studs--" Syrnick's nickname for the people that run effortlessly at practice, but are unable to perform during meets.

Junior Teddy Quinn thinks the Lions have a long season and need a good amount of preparation in the coming weeks.

"We're not psyching ourselves out too crazy for it," he said.

Quinn says the team dynamic is great and everyone is focused.

"We just need some goals, we need to keep things consistent, stay healthy and not look too far into the future," he said.

This is the first season since Penn State's cross country and track programs combined the men and women's teams under one head coach. In July, Penn State athletics moved to a single head coach system, making Alford-Sullivan the coach of six sports.

"I'm very glad Penn State moved in that direction," she said. "We're really excited about combining [the program.]"

While the change has taken some getting used to, players feel that it will be beneficial to the cross country program. Syrnick says the one head coach system is better because it will help fund and recruit stronger coaches for specialized events.

The combined system also allows the men's and women's teams to work closely with each other, providing a stronger base at home and more support on the road.

Teamwork is essential for success throughout the season. Syrnick recalls the first meet of his freshman year. Columbia University competing against Penn State.

"I remember they were all running in a pack, talking to each other and strategizing," he said. "They passed by me and I could barely breathe."

Back then Syrnick wondered how the runners were collected enough to carry a conversation. Now he knows pushing his teammates to run hard is the best way to help them succeed.

"You have to work together and get the team attitude up because you're only as good as your fifth man," he said.