DETROIT -- The Detroit Titan women's cross country team will begin the season by competing in the Golden Grizzly Open on Friday, Sept. 2. The race will be held at the Katke-Cousins Golf Course. Start time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Detroit will look to improve on last year's eighth place finish at the Horizon League Championships with a core group of upperclassmen returning to the program. Kirstin Mooney and Kristie Ferrans make up the senior class, while Sarah Martinez, Katrina Oberski, and Katie Weishaar all return as juniors.

“We have potential to improve this season,” Head Coach Guy Murray explained. “We won't have much room for error. All of our runners will need to be at their best in order to move up the Horizon League standings.”

Mooney ran in seven of the eight scheduled meets a year ago. She claimed 29th place at the Horizon League Championships with a time of 19:31. Mooney also set a 6k personal record at Penn State by clocking in at 24:20. She ended the season at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional with a time of 24:30 which landed her in 192nd place.

“Kirstin ran well for us last year, and she is coming off a big breakthrough after a successful track and field season,” Murray said. “I think Kirstin should be there as one of our top runners this fall.”

Ferrans was very limited in 2010 due to an injury. She ran at the National Catholic Championships last September and finished in 20:52. “Kristie is able to come back after suffering an injury last season,” Murray explained. “She is an experienced runner, and I am sure that she will be making a contribution at the end of the season.”

Four juniors are in the mix to improve the team in 2011. Sarah Martinez will look to take a step forward after competing in every single race a year ago. “The team needs Sarah to have a big year as an upperclassman after showing potential her first two years,” Murray said.

Martinez set her 5k PR at the Horizon League Championships with a time of 20:30. Her second best time of the 2010 season came at Louisville when she clocked in at 20:34. Martinez ended the year with a time of 25:56 at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional.

Katrina Oberski is yet another Titan that competed in every race a year ago. Oberski peaked at the right time as she set her 5k PR at the HL Championships with a time of 19:40 for 33rd place. She broke the 20 minute barrier two other times while competing at the Running Fit Detroit Titan Invite (19:57 – 14th) and the Louisville Classic (19:42 – 83rd). The junior ended the year running 24:53 at the 6k Regional course.

“Katrina has continually improved and I believe that she is ready to be at the front of the group,” Murray said.

Katie Weishaar and Olivia Smid will try to add depth to the junior class. “Olivia could be a pleasant surprise,” Murray said. “She worked hard this summer and has the chance to move up which would help us. We are also looking for Katie to get healthy so that she can get back to her best.”

Two Titans make up the sophomore class in 2011. Torrie Eger and Rachel Hofsess earned valuable experience by competing heavily as freshmen.

“Torrie got some good experience last year and if she can get healthy I think that she could move up and make the pack very strong,” Murray said.

Eger posted her best time of the season at the Horizon League Championships with a time of 20:55 which put her in 66th place overall. She was also close to that pace at the National Catholic Championships as she finished in 20:58 for 155th place.

Hofsess set her 5k PR at the Louisville Classic last year. She crossed the finish line at 19:46 to earn 89th place. “Having a year of experience will help Rachel,” Murray said. “We need her to run like she did at the Louisville race last year.”

Hofsess placed 22nd at the Running Fit Detroit Titan Invite (20:51), and 24th at the Golden Grizzly Open (16:06 – 4k).

“We should have a good pack,” Murray said. “The team will need a front runner to emerge, or the pack will have to be very tight while moving up.”

The Titans will have three freshmen on the team looking to gain experience in 2011. “Making a quick adjustment to the collegiate level is critical for our newcomers,” Murray said.

The 2011 schedule is similar to the slate in 2010. Detroit will host the 25th Annual Running Fit Detroit Titan Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 10 this year. Action will begin at 11:15 a.m. The Horizon League Championships will take place on Oct. 29, and the NCAA Great Lakes Regional will held in Toledo, Ohio on Nov. 12.