After a two-year break, the Morrisville Mustang cross country teams are finally back in competition.

They begin this season as a provisional member of SUNYAC conference in the NCAA, competing against new and different teams.

Their coach, Derek Powers, returned this season to coach both the men’s and women’s cross country teams.

So far, the teams have participated in four meets. The meets have been held at SUNYIT, Oswego State, Middlebury and Cazenovia College.

Both the men’s and women’s teams had athletes place first overall in the meet at the Cazenovia College Invitational. Kurt Pfaffenberger placed first for Morrisville with a time of 17:45.6 and Regina Laws placed fourth for the women with a time of 22:55.8.

"I have been pleased with the turnout of the team this year," said Powers. Goals for the rest of the season are "individual goals mostly and to drop 3 minutes" from the beginning of the year.

Powers said that it was hard to come back especially because he had "no chance to recruit."

On the women’s team, there have been a number of injuries that have hurt the team as well as the athlete. Out of the six women on the team, three have been injured and are unable to compete. Since six runners are needed per meet, the women’s team has been unable to compete in meets.

Pfaffenberger said training with his coach helped him to win at the meet at Cazenovia. Pfaffenberger is one of thirteen freshmen on the cross country team.

His expectation for the rest of the year is "to improve everyone on the team." Senior Jesse Chartier said, "We’re a young team but are improving slowly."

The Mustangs compete in their last meet of the season Nov. 1 at Geneseo for the SUNYAC championship.