DEXTER, Mich. (8/30/2024) -- Junior Joshua Otten led the Detroit Mercy men's cross country team on Friday at the season opening Michigan Open from Hudson Mills Metropark.

Otten earned 19th with a 5k time of 15:50, a second shy of his career mark, as the Titans competed against the nationally-ranked Michigan Wolverines. 

Coming across the line next for UDM was freshman Ryan Belanger in 26th place with a time of 16:14 in his first-ever cross country race. Sophomore Christopher Russelburg and freshman Caleb Wynn finished 28th and 29th, respectively, running 16:41 and 16:45, a three-second PR for Russelburg.

Sophomore Kenyon Popiel was the fifth finisher for the red, white, and blue, crossing the line 31st place with a time of 17:23.

Detroit Mercy will be back in action at the National Catholic Championships, hosted by Notre Dame, at the Burke Memorial Golf Course. The meet is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20th.