DETROIT (9/1/17) – The University of Detroit Mercy men's cross country team opened its' 2017 season at the annual Golden Grizzly Open on the campus of Metro Series-rival Oakland on Friday.
The Titans placed third with 108 points in the 6k event, with a strong showing from a true freshman and the sophomore class.
Detroit Mercy will be back in action next Saturday, Sept. 9, when the program hosts the 31st Annual Running Fit-Detroit Titan Invitational at Cass Benton Park in Northville. The day will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the open races. The collegiate races are slated to start at 11:15.
Here is how the action went down at the Golden Grizzly Open:
- With temperatures in the high 60's and a bit of wind, it was one of the coldest debuts in the 53 years of Titan women's cross country.
- The Titans were without some veterans, with seniors Ben Kendell and Charlie Felton redshirting their fourth year due to five-year programs at the University.
- The Titans had just six runners total in the race.
- Detroit Mercy had three runners in the top 15 - taking 11th, 12th and 13th - as well as four in the top 25.
- Freshman Thomas Mueller led the program in his debut posting a time of 19:53, the second-straight year a rookie has led the Titans in the season opener.
- He was followed closely behind by sophomore Scott Smith who set a PR with a time of 19:59, 27 seconds faster than his run on the course last season.
- Coming in right behind Smith was second-year harrier Adam Fraeyman, who recorded a new 6k PR by four seconds at 20:00.
- Senior Greg Ingle clocked a 20:32, while sophomore Santana Scott crossed the line at 21:50.
