DETROIT (11/15/2024) -- Junior Joshua Otten posted a top-10 time in school history to end the season as the University of Detroit Mercy men's cross country team finished the year at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships on Friday.

The Titans tallied 689 points for 23rd at the 10k Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton, Ohio. The 23rd-place finish was the best by the program since placing 23rd in 2018.

Otten tallied a time of 31:44 for 105th in the event, 12 seconds better than his run at the regionals last year and the 10th-best 10k time in school history.

Freshman Ryan Belanger was 118th in 31:51 in his first-ever 10k race, the 11th best 10k in the school record book, while senior Josiah Burr took over a minute off his 10k best at the GLR in 2022 by taking 143rd in 32:19, tied for the 20th best 10k by a Titan. 

Sophomore Christopher Russelburg cut off 22 seconds from his run at the NCAA regionals last year to place 154th in 32:37, which stands 27th in the record book, and freshman Caleb Wynn ran 32:55 for 169th and tied for the 30th best by a Titan.

Freshman Nicholas Yaquinto claimed 204th in 34:48 and sophomore Kenyon Popiel earned 207th in 35:06 as both Titans made their 10k debuts. 

The Titan distance runners will now turn their attention to the indoor track and field season.