30th Annual National Catholic Championships Women's Results

On the strength of five top 100 performers, the UDM women's cross country team had its best finish in five years as the Titans claimed 10th with 308 points in the 30th Annual National Catholic Championships, held on Friday evening at the University of Notre Dame.

The last time UDM was in the top 10 in the event was in 2004 when the red, white and blue took eighth.

“A good day, but one that we can improve on,” said head coach Guy Murray. “This group has the potential to be pretty competitive. We just need to put that elusive day of everyone at their best on the same day.”

For the second straight week, UDM was led by senior Beata Gorzynska (Ilawa, Poland/Mazurski of Olsztynie), who finished 24th in a career 5k best time of 19:14. Coming into the race, Gorzynska had twice competed in the event taking 178th in 21:37 last year and 166th in 20:57 in 2007.

“Another great one for Beata,” said Murray. “She is a big boost for the team and great for Beata to put it all together in her senior season.”

Freshman Alexandria Vintevoghel (Casco, MI / Marine City) kept up her fine rookie season placing 60th in 19:53, while sophomore Stephanie Rossman (Caledonia, MI/Caledonia) took nearly 10 seconds off her 2008 time for 67th in 20:04.

Coming in fourth for the Titans was senior Jennifer DeFauw (Harper Woods, MI/Grosse Pointe North) who was 81st overall in 20:17, a 38-second improvement from last year. Junior Kristie Ferrans (Carleton, MI/Monroe) was the fifth Titan in 20:25, good for 87th place.

Rounding out the varsity line up was freshman Katrina Oberski (Clyde, MI/Port Huron) (111th-20:44), sophomore Kirstin Mooney (Stirling, ON/St. Theresa Catholic) (133rd-21:05) and freshman Sarah Martinez (Grand Blanc, MI/Flint Powers) (171st-21:43).

Detroit is idle next week and will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 3, when it takes part in the Greater Louisville Classic.