Final Results

On the strength of two harriers finishing in the top 100, the UDM men's cross country team braved cold and muddy conditions to take 19th place with 578 points in Saturday's Great Lakes Regional, held at the Varsity Cross Country Complex on the campus of Purdue University. 

It was Detroit's first top 20 appearance since 1998 as well as its sixth best team score in a regional. The Titans also were second among the seven Horizon League programs in the race, trailing only Butler, while finishing ahead of Milwaukee, Youngstown State, Valparaiso, Wright State and Green Bay. 

“It was a true cross country day with the course and weather challenging us the whole way,” said head coach Guy Murray. “We pulled it together and finished a good season with a very good race. The guys did a great job of getting out and competing and battling the elements as well as holding their own with all the competition on the course today.” 

UDM was led by freshman Alex Vanias (Leroy, MI/Pine River) and sophomore Pat Liederbach (Petoskey, MI/Petoskey), who both finished in the top 100. Vanias was the Titans' top finisher claiming 79th place in a time of 33:14. The finish was the third best ever by a rookie Titan runner as well as the tenth best finish in school history. He also became just the 14th UDM harrier to place in the top 100. 

“Alex ran his best race as a Titan today,” said Murray. “He is well suited to the 10k distance and he did a great job.” 

Liederbach ended a solid sophomore season finishing 93rd in 33:39, becoming just the fifth Titan to post two or more top 100 performances at the regional. 

“Pat got out well, but just didn't have it today,” said Murray. “To his credit, he was able to hold it together for a solid finish in the race.” 

A pair of seniors ended their Titan careers with good showings in Jon Hans (Dearborn Heights, MI/Crestwood) and Andrew Hayner (Royal Oak, MI/U-D Jesuit). Hans placed 120th in 34:21, his best regional finish by over 45 slots, while Hayner was clocked at 34:23, good for 125th place. 

“Jon has had his ups and downs as a Titan, but did a good job for us this year and this race was a good way to go out,” commented Murray. “Andrew was just the 16th Titan to run in four regionals. He made a tremendous contribution to the program and, while his finish is not quite where he wanted, it was a good hard fought race and his run pushed us into the top 20.” 

Rounding out the Titan scorers on the day were sophomore Ryan Ayala (Coopersville, MI)  and Kevin Smalley (Gladwin, MI /Gladwin). Ayala was 169th in 35:54, while Smalley ended the race in 36:51 for 183rd, a 19 place improvement from last year.