DETROIT – The Detroit Titan men's cross country team will start the season by competing in the Golden Grizzly Open. The race will be held at Katke-Cousins Golf Course and will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Week two of the season will feature the 25th Annual Running Fit Detroit Titan Invitational. UDM hosts the invite at Cass-Benton Park. Additional information about the event will be available soon.

The 2011 team will have some big shoes to fill as the graduating class from a year ago put their stamp on the program. “This will be a very interesting year as we replace a talented senior class,” Head Coach Guy Murray said. “It is hard to project what will happen, but I hope that our guys respond to the opportunity they have. We could have a very good pack. The big question will be how to replace the low number that Patrick Liederbach provided each meet.”

This year's senior class includes Bob Radlich, Matt Mahler, Derek Hoerman, and Erik Westbrook. Radlich made a solid contribution to the team during his junior season. He set his 8k personal record at the Louisville Classic with a time of 26:46. Radlich also finished the year strong by setting his 10k PR at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional with a time of 35:09. Additional highlights from the 2010 season include taking 11th at the 2010 Golden Grizzly Open (19:55 – 6k) and placing 36th at the Titan Invite (22:05).

“Bob has been steady over the past two years and I believe he is in line for a good year.” Murray said. “He has trained well and therefore has improved.”

Erik Westbrook had an up and down junior campaign as he dealt with an injury. Westbrook started the year strong with a 39th place finish at the Golden Grizzly Open (21:34 – 6k). He followed that performance finishing 59th overall at the Detroit Titan invite (23:04 – 4 Mile). Westbrook's final race of the season was at the Horizon League Championships. He took 63rd overall with a time of 27:32.

“Erik continued to get better after injuries dampened a good junior year,” Murray added. “He is coming off a solid track and field season and I look for him to be a contributor this year.”

Matt Mahler and Derek Hoerman were limited in 2010 with injury issues. Mahler only competed in the Detroit Invite. He finished 47th with a time of 22:37. “Matt has the ability to help this team,” Murray said. “He is healthy and ready to go.” Hoerman set his four mile PR at the Detroit Invite clocking in at 22:26. He also ran at the HL Championships taking 81st overall with a time of 28:33.

“In order to move up from fifth in the Horizon League, we will need someone to finish in the top-20 at the HL meet,” Murray added.

UDM has two juniors on the roster. Edwin Gay and Chris Smalley are each poised for a good season. “Edwin is an experienced runner who has shown the potential to be ready for a good year,” Murray said. Gay participated in five races during the2010 season and set three personal records. He posted his fastest four mile time at the Titan Invite placing 19th overall (21:18). Two weeks later, Gay set his 8k PR at the Louisville Classic crossing the finish line in 25:57 for 37th overall. Gay ended his season at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional by setting his 10k PR with a time of 33:47.

Smalley was active for Detroit a year ago as he competed in all but two races in 2010. “Chris has potential and should improve this season,” Murray said. Smalley set his 8k PR at the Louisville Classic last year with a time of 28:07. He also ran well at the HL Championships, where he finished 79th overall with a time of 28:31.

Martin Nelkie and Sam Felton make up the sophomore class. Nelkie ran very well for UDM as a freshman. He placed 12th at the Golden Grizzly Open (19:56), and 20th at the Titan Invite (21:22) to start the year. Midway through the season he set his 8k PR at the Louisville Classic with a time of 26:28. He finished the year as well as he started by setting his 10k PR at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. Nelkie placed 154th clocking in at 33:42. “Martin had a strong finish to his freshman track and field season as well,” Murray said. “Knowing what is ahead for him will help.”

Felton improved throughout the 2010 season and eventually set his 8k PR at the Horizon League Championships with a time of 27:14. Additional standout performances for Felton include placing 17th at the Golden Grizzly Open (20:20), and finishing 35th at the Detroit Titan Invite (21:58). “Sam ran well as a rookie,” Murray said. “I think he will be able to step in and impact the team after gaining experience during last season.”

A group of six student-athletes will make up the freshmen class for the Titans. Ylli Alla, Caleb Cox, Colin Creagh, Ryan Hofsess, George Holman, and Tony Rote will all compete for Detroit with the opportunity to impact the squad. “The freshmen class will have to adjust to the longer college race and keep up with the daily training pace,” Murray said. “Alla and Creagh have the chance to be impact runners on this team as freshmen. They have run well in longer races and we will need them in the mix for the year to go well.”

It would be huge for the freshman class to perform well as Detroit only has two juniors and two sophomores on the roster. It can be challenging for newcomers, but Murray thinks his rookies will improve in time. “Rote and Cox are also fit for longer races,” Murray said. “It will depend on how quickly they can adjust to see if they can challenge for varsity spots. Hofsess and Holman might be more middle distance type runners. Hofsess may be able to adjust a bit easier because of his time at Milford. George comes to Detroit with only a couple years of experience under his belt.”