DEXTER, Mich. (9/1/2023) -- Graduate senior Allison Sherman led the Titans with a top-15 effort as the University of Detroit Mercy women's cross country team started the year at the Michigan Open on Friday.

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

Sherman claimed 14th with a time of 18:53, nearly 11 seconds faster than her time on the course in last year's opener.

Junior Evie Wright was the second Titan in at 19:53, more than 10 seconds quicker than last year's pace, to take 21st.

Freshmen Helana Napiorkowski was 23rd in 20:20, while another rookie Alaina Burns was right behind her in 24th at 20:40. Sophomore Ayva Schmalz finished in 20:58 for 26th, 15 seconds better than her debut at Michigan last year, while freshman Abby Fifield placed 27th in 21:10.

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