30th Annual National Catholic Championship Men's Results

Led by sophomore Alex Vanias (Leroy, MI/Pine River), the Detroit men's cross country program made it three straight years in the top 10 as the Titans claimed sixth with a 189 team score at the 30th Annual National Catholic Championships, held on Friday at the University of Notre Dame Golf Course.

It was also the second straight season that Detroit was just outside the top five on the 8k course with a sixth-place effort.

Vanias was the Titans' top runner again, earning 24th in 26:31, beating last year's 34th overall finish. 

“Alex is right where he was last year and that is not bad after battling injuries,” said head coach Guy Murray. “Staying healthy will be a key for him.”

Senior Alex Gould (Comstock Park, MI/Comstock Park) had an exceptional race, taking 32nd in 26:36. The run was a new personal record by 1:01 as well as a 1:56 and 112-place improvement in his career at the NCC.

“Alex proved that the big PR's on the shorter courses were not a fluke!” said Murray. “He is going to be a big part of our success as he is strong from the training and racing with confidence.”

Freshman Edwin Gay (Grosse Pointe, MI/GP South) was 41st in his 8k collegiate debut in 26:49, while junior Alex Harris (Huntington Woods, MI/Shrine) posted a time of 26:56 for 45th.

“A nice debut for Edwin as he just needs to stay healthy and get some more training under his belt,” added Murray.

Junior Matt Mahler (Thorold, ON/Denis Morris Catholic) hit a career best with a time of 27:09 for 54th, while classmate Ryan Ayala (Coopersville, MI/Coopersville) took 18 seconds off his best run at Notre Dame to place 74th in 27:33.

Sophomores Erik Westbrook (Fremont, MI/Fremont) made his 8k debut with a time of 27:46 for 89th, while sophomore Bob Radlich (Cheektowaga, NY / Cleveland Hill) and junior Kevin Smalley (Gladwin, MI/Gladwin) were 100th and 118th, respectively, in 28:05 and 28:25.

“Overall, not bad, but we were hoping for a little better,” said Murray. “The first 8k shows we have some potential, but it also shows we have some work to do.”

Detroit will next compete in the Greater Louisville Classic on Saturday, Oct. 3.