Interview With Kevin Smalley On The TitanYouTube Channel

The start of the cross country season will officially begin as the Titans make the short trip to Rochester Hills on Saturday to compete in the Golden Grizzly Open.

The men's 6k race is scheduled to go off at 10:45 a.m., with the women opening the event at 10:00 a.m.

There will be no team scoring for the race. Last year, Alex Gould was the top UDM runner taking 11th in 19:46. Kevin Smalley was 13th in 20:12, while Bob Radlich earned 21st.

Season Preview

While the UDM women's cross country team is young, the opposite is true for the Titan male harriers as 10 upperclassmen, including seven seniors, comprise the 2010 Detroit men's cross country roster.

“The theme for this group is just putting everything together on the right day,” said Guy Murray, a former Titan harrier himself who enters his 18th year as the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. “We have had a lot of great races individually, but if we are able to have that great day at the right time, this group can leave here with a lot of accomplishments.”

Senior Pat Liederbach leads the group of seniors as he looks to become just the second Titan to earn All-League four times as well as just the third runner in school history to finish in the top 100 at the regional four times. The reigning three-time Dominick Taddonio team MVP, Liederbach was the top finisher in all four races he competed in last year and posted his best regional finish of 60th with a 10K PR of 32:40.

“Pat has been our great front runner, but there is still more left for him to accomplish,” said Murray. “His leadership has always been pretty steady, but with Pat, it's about his health and right now, he is as healthy as he has been to start the year since he was a freshman.”

Senior Alex Harris returns looking to continue the streak he started with a breakout junior year. Harris hit his 8k season best with a 26:14 at Bowling Green and then became just the 11th Titan to place in the top 100 at the NCAA Regional taking 81st.

“It was the first season where Alex stayed healthy,” said Murray. “He has always had to deal with some injuries, but he was healthy and we both expect a big year out of him.”

Seniors Ryan Ayala and Kevin Smalley have also been consistent varsity performers and scorers the last few years and both look for a big finish to their careers. Ayala ran in four races last year and has been a top five scorer for Detroit, while Smalley is regarded as one of the hardest workers who improved his regional run by over 20 spots to place 160th, finishing as the team's No. 4 scorer.

“Both Ryan and Kevin have been scorers for us and I look for them to be right in the 2-5 range again. Kevin is one of the hardest workers we have ever had, and Ryan has the ability to run great for us.”

Seniors Brian Greenhoe and Kevin Wozniak will also be back to add depth to the team. Greenhoe will be on the prowl for his first varsity letter and judging by his steeplechase performance as a junior, he could end his career on a high note. Wozniak has had the injury bug at times during his career, but he also has the talent to help the Titans, displayed by his top five scoring effort at the 2008 HL Championships.

Derek Hoerman, Bob Radlich and Erik Westbrook all showcased fine seasons after redshirting as freshmen. Hoerman missed the first part of last year with an injury but ended up running in five races, including part of the NCAA regional squad. Radlich saw his 8k best improve by over a minute and a half going from 28:05 to 26:48, while Westbrook was in the scoring five all year , with his PR of 26:26 at Louisville.

“Keeping these guys healthy is the key,” Murray said. “Hoerman has the ability to run in the top five and Radlich has put in a lot of miles to get to where he is at today. Westbrook is a guy suited for cross country and he should continue his promising sophomore season.”

Edwin Gay, a sophomore, was the big recruit that the men needed last year, but unfortunately injuries derailed his rookie year. Gay's best time came at the National Catholic Championships where he ran a 26:49, but he did miss three races, including the HL Championship and the Great Lakes Regional.

“He just had a tough freshman year, but he has looked great so far in the preseason,” said Murray. “He has a ton of potential and he is ready for a big year.”

Three newcomers join the squad in sophomore Chris Smalley and freshmen Sam Felton and Martin Nelkie. Smalley did not compete in cross country last year, but did debut on the Titan track and field team. Felton took All-State honors as a senior, while Nelkie was a two-time regional champion and an All-State performer in his prep career.

“Martin and Sam are good cross country runners who should fit in right away. Both should give the veterans a challenge for varsity spots.” added Murray.

While a conference championship is always a goal, the Titans will look for this veteran group to compete and move into the top three alongside Butler and Loyola. Another goal that is in reach is to post the best finish ever for a Titan squad at the NCAA Regional, which at the moment stands at 16th place in 1985, coach Murray's rookie year on the cross country team.