The Pitt-Johnstown cross-country season started with a bang this fall featuring some new faces.

Before the season started, the cross-country team needed more runners.

Team members sent out an email to all Pitt-Johnstown students asking if they wanted to join the team.

“We sent out the email,  and made an announcement at the pep rally,” Junior John Cotton said.

“The men’s team had four freshmen come to us (about the emails) and ask about joining the team; three (of the respondents) have stuck around.”

The men’s team did not hold tryouts, Cotton said.

“All of the new runners who showed interest had either run track, cross- country or both in high school,” he said.

“They joined us the following week in practice and have been coming ever since.”

Junior James Horwat said the team can accommodate all who are interested.

“Cross-country is accepting of everyone,” he said.

“During the race, though, only the top runners score.”

“If fully healthy, we believe that we can contend for the top 10 in the (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference),” Horwat said.

So far, the men’s  team has competed at two cross-country meets, at Division 1 Saint Francis Father Bede Invitational, finishing fifth out of six teams.

They were victorious their second time around, winning at Pitt-Greensburg’s Invitational.

The men’s team has four more scheduled events highlighted by the Conference Championships Oct. 22 at Kutztown University.