DEXTER, Mich. (9/1/2023) -- Joshua Otten led the Titans in his collegiate cross country debut as the University of Detroit Mercy men's cross country team began the year at the Michigan Open on Friday.

Detroit Mercy and nationally-ranked Michigan competed at the 5K Hudson Mills Metropark in Dexter, Michigan.

Otten - who redshirted last season - led the Titans and was 21st overall with a 15:49 run.

Junior Connor Joyce was next in line at 16:22 for 26th, more than 40 seconds better than his run at the course last season.

Freshman Kenyon Popiel claimed 27th in 16:27, while junior Kenny Lashaway was 28th in 16:38. Freshman Christopher Russelburg was 29th in 16:44 in his collegiate debut, while graduate senior Oscar Hernandez took 30th in 17:18.

Detroit Mercy will now have an extra week of training before returning to action at Notre Dame's National Catholic Championship on Sept. 15.