Behind the strength of four underclassmen, the UDM women's cross country team made a dramatic one-year improvement as the Titan placed 15th with a 473 team score at the 29th Annual National Catholic Championships, a 5k race held at the Notre Dame Golf Course.

Detroit was 29th at last year's event with 804 points.

"Overall, a very good day for the women's team with a lot of individual improvements combined with the rookies make for significant team improvement," said head coach Guy Murray. "Training has been going well and this group can and will continue to improve."

In her official Titan debut, freshman Kristina Arko (Euclid, OH/Euclid) topped the team with a time of 19:50, good for 77th place. Sophomore Kayleigh Toombs (Byron Center, MI/Byron Center) claimed 99th with a run of 20:12, while freshman Stephanie Rossman (Caledonia, MI/Caledonia) was just a second behind her in 100th place. Sophomore Kristie Ferrans (Carleton, MI/Monroe)saved 55 seconds off her run at this event last year finishing 106th in 20:23.

"A great debut for Kristina," commented Murray. "She and Stephanie have been great additions and will help this team continue to improve as they learn collegiate running."

Senior Terricita Thomas (Maple Heights, OH/Maple Heights) took 113th in 20:31, her second fastest collegiate 5k time. Sophomore Kirstin Mooney (Stirling ON/St. Theresa Catholic) surpassed her personal mark with a 20:49, giving her 132nd place, while senior Jennifer DeFauw (Harper Woods, MI/GP North) clocked a 20:50 for 133rd.

The Titans will have an extra week off before their next event when Detroit hits the road to Louisville, KY, to run in the Greater Louisville Classic.