BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (10/18/2024) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's cross country team got ready for the postseason with three runners in the top 20 and four in the top 50 as the Titans competed at Bowling Green's Falcon Invitational on Friday.

UDM totaled 95 points for fourth at the 8k Mel Brodt Cross Country Course.

Junior Joshua Otten led the way with his second-straight top-five effort as he crossed the finish line in 24:59 for fourth, just a tick out of third and five seconds shy of runner-up. 

Freshman Ryan Belanger and sophomore Christopher Russelburg were next in line as they battled for top-20 status, with Belanger running 25:56 for 17th - two seconds away from his PR - and Russelburg registering a season-best 25:59 for 18th.

Freshman Caleb Wynn tallied a season-best 26:45 for 38th.

Senior Kenny Lashaway posted a time of 27:29 for 59th and freshman Nicholas Yaquinto placed 61st in 27:33.

A strong pack followed the scoring five as sophomore Elijah Jorgensen earned 63rd in 27:43, just ahead of senior Nicholas Fringer's 27:47 for 65th. 

Sophomore Tyler Vandierdonck was 67th in a season-low 28:03, while senior Josiah Burr claimed 68th in 28:07. Senior Ashwin Philip recorded a 28:17 for 70th and sophomore Kenyon Popiel ran 28:23 for 72nd. 

The Titans will now prepare for the Horizon League Championships, which will be held in two weeks on Nov. 2 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.