SOUTH BEND, Ind. (9/18/2026) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's cross country team posted some of the best times in school history on the Notre Dame course as the Titans ran in the National Catholic Championships on Friday morning.

It was the 46th running of the event, and UDM, along with the host Fighting Irish, have taken part in all 46. 

The men placed fifth on the 8k John Burke Memorial course with 147 points, with two in the top 15, three in the top 25, and five in the top 70. The 147 points were the second fewest at Notre Dame, trailing only the 129 in 2013. 

Graduate senior Joshua Otten and sophomore Colin Murray were neck and neck throughout the race and were once again the 1-2 punch for the Titans, with both running 24:18 for 13th and 14th place, respectively. The times were the best for any Titan at Notre Dame, with Murray missing his career best by one second as he became the eighth runner in school history to earn a top-15 finish at the event.  

Junior Christopher Russelburg posted a personal record by more than 25 seconds and a course PR by over a minute, finishing 23rd in 24:53, which is now tied for 23rd in school history. 

Junior Ryan Belanger took 52nd in 25:41, while junior Caleb Wynn clocked a 25:58, a minute faster than his run last year on the course, for 67th. Sophomore Avan Hinkle tied his collegiate best with a 26:02 for 73rd, and senior Kenyon Popiel posted his best effort on the course, posting 26:41 for 98th.

Detroit Mercy will have a few weeks of training before returning to action on Oct. 3 with the Swags Louisville Cross Country Classic.