DETROIT (9/10/2026) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's cross country team will take the summer training and put it on display on a familiar course as the Titans co-host the Tommy Titan vs. W the Warrior Cross Country Classic on Saturday.

The event - which features co-host UDM and Wayne State - returns to Cass-Benton Park in Northville, the famous home of the home meet for over 30 years, and will feature the women's 5k at 10:00 a.m., the men's 4-mile at 10:45 a.m., and the Kids (9 & under) vs. Tommy and W at 11:25 a.m.

Competing will be the Titans, Warriors, Cleary, Macomb CC, UM-Dearborn, Muskegon CC, Rochester Christian, Spring Arbor, and Titan Legends and alumni. 

In its history, the men have taken first place twice on the Cass-Benton course when the Tommy Titan Invitational was held there, claiming the top spot in 2013 and 2021. UDM harriers have won the race outright six times, with Ben Kendell taking the crown in 2016, 2017 and 2018, Martin Nelkie clocking first in 2013 and Chris McPhee in 1999 and 2001. 

Kendell also owns the course record with his time of 19:39 in 2018.

Detroit Mercy will have a veteran team this year, highlighted by four seniors and three juniors, and will also return a pair of All-Conference performers.

Graduate senior Joshua Otten is back as one of the top runners in the Horizon League. He was Second Team All-HL in 2024 with a time of 24:43 at the Horizon League Championship, and upped that last season to First Team accolades with a third-place finish in an 8k career-best 23:55, just one second shy of the school record and the best by a Titan at the league meet. He also finished the year taking 69th in 32:02 at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships, his first career top-100 mark at the regionals.

"Joshua has really developed as a runner, but his number one trademark is that he is a great competitor," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Guy Murray '89. "Getting up to third last year was great for him, and with the top of the league really good, that just really will push him even more. He is a threat in every race."

The other All-Conference member is sophomore Colin Murray, who had a sensational freshman campaign, setting rookie records in the 8k and 10k. He had a pair of top-10 finishes, four in the top 20, and all six races in the top 60. He originally broke the school's 8k freshman record at Notre Dame's National Catholic Invitational, with a 24:44 that placed him 13th. He lowered that in the next few races, including placing 12th at the league meet in 24:17, the best time by a true freshman in the race and the third-best 8k in school history. He also led the way with a time of 31:48 for 60th at the NCAA Great Lakes Regionals, the second-best finish by a freshman in school history at the regionals and seventh overall by a Titan.

"Colin definitely had the first year we hoped for," said coach Murray. "The good thing about him is that he is pretty serious about running, and even with his results last year, he feels he could have been better. His goals are pretty high, and with his summer training and the team we have, he is in a good position to improve."

Senior Christopher Russelburg is another harrier who has run in just about every cross country race since he came to campus. He set PRs in the 5k, 8k, and 10k, finished top 100 in all six events (including two top-30 finishes), and was part of the scoring five in every meet. He ended last season with a 10k collegiate-low 32:21 for 86th at the NCAA regionals, 15th in Titan history.

"Chris really made a name for himself with the effort he showed at last year's cross country championships and scoring in the indoor 5,000 and outdoor 10,000," said coach Murray.

Two other seniors with experience return in Elijah Jorgensen and Kenyon Popiel. Popiel in particular had a great run at the league meet last year, posting an 8k career-best 25:38 for 66th.

The junior class has improved in its first two years. Ryan Belanger ran and scored in all six races on the season, finishing second on the team in three events, and had a career-best 24:40 for 24th at the Horizon League Championships, the fourth-best 8k time in school history. Caleb Wynn was part of the scoring five in two races and set PR's in the 5k and 8k, while Nicholas Yaquinto registered a career-low 25:45 for 72nd at the league showdown.

Sophomore Avan Hinkle had a good showing in the spring track season and three freshmen will vie for spots in Andrew Bayne, Joel Johnson ll and Brodie Licata. 

"We were so close to hitting our goal of four guys in the top 25 of the league last year, but this team is as talented as we have had, and that will bode well for us," said Murray. "Not only do we have some lead runners, but we have a nice pack of guys to lower our score at five and should put us in a good position at the Horizon League championship."