Muoio, Harvard's top finisher at New Englands, is looking to finish in the top ten this weekend, as is junior Dave Martin.

"Dave has been running very well in practice, and he's been improving with each meet," Muoio said.

In addition to Muoio and Martin the Crimson boasts the talents of junior Brendan Trombley and sophomores Ed Baker and Matt Stevens, all of whom have been running within 10 seconds of each other all season.

"Losing Jussi is pretty big," Martin said, "but you go into every race thinking that this is an opportunity to do your job. We have five guys right now who I have complete faith in."

Part of running well this weekend will also have to do with how the Crimson harriers react to the racing situation.

"A big part of cross-country is mentally being able to overcome changes in pace," Martin said. "A lot of times the first mile can turn into a barn burner and you'll end up sucking wind early in the race, but that's the makeup of a really great runner--someone who is able to react to changes like that."

Of course, in addition to the oft-over-looked strategy required in cross-country, runners must also withstand extreme pain to cross the finish line ahead of their opponents.

"In these championship meets it's just carnage out there," Martin said. "It's great. You know everyone out there is laying it all on the line. It's not really fun to go out there and win races where people aren't really trying. If you do well in a race like this, it really means something."