NORTHVILLE, Mich. (9/12/2026) -- Senior Joshua Otten started his final season with his first collegiate cross country victory, and the University of Detroit men's cross country team came together for the team title as UDM hosted the Tommy Titan Vs. W The Warrior Cross Country Classic on Saturday. 

Detroit Mercy posted 27 points as it had the top three runners, four in the top 10 and five in the top 20 at the 4-mile Cass-Benton Park course in Northville, Michigan. The site hosted a home meet for over 30 years, with the last one in 2023.

UDM won a home meet on the course a third time, taking the Tommy Titan Invitational in 2013 and 2021.

Otten - a two-time All-HL runner - clocked a winning time of 20:14, the ninth time a Titan has won on the course, following Ben Kendell in 2016, 2017 and 2018, Martin Nelkie in 2013 and Chris McPhee in 1999 and 2001. Otten also follows a family legacy, as his mom and recent Titan Hall of Fame inductee Angie Otten (Lefere) won the women's race on the same course in 1997. 

Sophomore Colin Murray - another All-HL harrier - was running with Otten the entire race and was runner-up in 20:21.

Senior Christopher Russelburg finished third in 20:37, while junior Ryan Belanger earned fifth in 20:44.

Junior Caleb Wynn placed 16th in 21:35, and sophomore Avan Hinkle made his Titan debut in cross country, clocking 21:51 for 23rd.

A team of alums also competed as a team and was fifth overall, led by the 29th-place effort of Thomas Mueller, who ran the course in 22:20.

Ryan Schwab finished 32nd in 22:39, while Oscar Hernandez placed 35th in 22:47.1. Mike Greeley ran 25:01.0 for 60th, and Ylli Alla took 68th in 28:06.7.

Detroit Mercy will get right back on the course as it makes the trip to Notre Dame next Friday for the National Catholic Championships.