SOUTH BEND, Ind. (9/18/2026) -- Seven Titans posted career bests, and three were in the top 50 as the University of Detroit Mercy women's cross country team placed in the top five at the National Catholic Championships on Friday morning.

The women recorded 163 points for fifth on the 5k John Burke Memorial course. Detroit Mercy had two harriers in the top 30, three in the top 50 and five in the top 60. 

Senior Alaina Burns lowered her 5k best for the second straight race as she was 26th in 18:32, the 26th-fastest 5k time in school history. 

Right behind her was junior Kirsten Koss, who posted a PR of 18:33 for 27th, besting her 19:02 last week and nearly a minute better than her previous mark on the course. 

Freshman Anna Kujansuu ran 18:47 for 34th, more than a 30-second improvement from last week, while senior Helana Napiorkowski earned 54th in a course PR of 19:23, 23 seconds quicker than her freshman time. 

Junior Sofia Figueroa tallied a career-low 19:28 for 57th, while junior Ana Lopez registered a career-best 19:36 for 63rd. 

It was the 41st running of the event on the women's side, and UDM, along with the host Fighting Irish, have taken part in every one.

The Titans will head back to practice before returning to action on Oct. 3 with the Swags Louisville Cross Country Classic.