SOUTH BEND, Ind (9/19/2025) -- She came close in the season opener, but this time, there was no denying her as senior Nina Pizzo broke her career 5k mark and was just outside 20 as the University of Detroit Mercy women's cross country team competed at Notre Dame's National Catholic Championship on Friday.

Detroit Mercy took fifth overall with 159 points at UND's Burke Golf Course. 

Pizzo earned 22nd in a career-best 18:20, breaking her 5k mark by 27 seconds. The run stands tied for 18th in school history and the third-best mark for a Titan at Notre Dame behind Louisa Coppola's 17:58 in 2013 and Kim Hemstreet's 18:00 in 2002.

Senior Ayva Schmalz finished 47th in a time of 19:36, her third fastest run in the college ranks. 

A trio of Titans were all packed together after that as senior Claire Hunt placed 50th in 19:46, while junior Helana Napiorkowski recorded 51st in 19:48 and freshman Addie Stanley 52nd in a season-best 19:54.

Meanwhile, sophomore Kirsten Koss and junior Alaina Burns both ran 20:19 for a share of 62nd. 

UDM will have a couple of weeks of training now before getting back to action at the Live in the Lou Cross Country Classic on Oct. 4.