28th Annual Running Fit-Detroit Titan Invite Website (All Results Posted)
Full Women's Individual Results
Full Women's Collegiate Team Scores
Photo Gallery
Post-Race Interview
 
NORTHVILLE, Mich. (9/6/2014) -- Senior Zeinab Baydoun recorded a career best in the 5k and the Titans claimed third as the red, white and blue hosted the 28th Annual Running Fit-Detroit Titan Invitational on Saturday morning at Cass Benton Park.
 
Detroit totaled 93 points, behind only Wayne State (58) and Bucknell (15). The victorious Bison are coached by Titan alum and former track and field and cross country coach Kevin Donnor, who started the women's program in 1984.
 
"Overall, a great day of cross country," said Director of Track & Field/Cross country Guy Murray '89. "Everything pulled together nicely after some doubts with those storms going through last night. It is truly a team effort that makes this event great and the Titan track & field student athletes do great work on the meet management effort."
 
Baydoun was seventh in 18:49, nearly 30 seconds faster than her previous 5k best of 19:16, set at the 2011 Greater Louisville Classic. It was also the seventh fastest time ever by a Titan at Cass Benton.
 
Freshman Sydnie Fetherolf finished 12th in 19:02 in her collegiate 5k debut.
 
"We had a good day and Zeinab and Sydnie were racing competitively up front," said Coach Murray. "Zeinab has had a tough go with health issues over her career and we can be pretty good if she is healthy and racing at her best."
 
Sophomore Devon Sutton was the next Titan in at 19:54 for 32nd, while freshman Samantha Zakalowski was 42nd in 20:17, an improvement from her 21:00 a year ago.
 
Freshman Jenny Ponkowski was right behind her in 43rd at 20:19 and senior Sara Taylor ran her fastest time ever at the home meet taking 46th with 20:24.
 
"Sam and Sara had nice runs and their improvements could really make the team strong," added Coach Murray.
 
Freshman Sydney Shaw clocked a 21:24 for 58th and fellow rookie Jenna Hickson ran 21:59 for 68th. Rounding out the Titan line-up was junior Haley Morairty's 22:38, good for 78th.
 
Running as an unattached competitor was last year's victor and two-time All-Horizon League harrier Louisa Coppola, who came in fourth in 18:43.
 
The day started with a couple of open races with the men's and women's 5k, which was followed by the ever-growing 1.5-mile middle school race. The world famous Tommy Titan kid's race then went off as children 9 and under got a chance to be a part of the action by running the final 200-meters against the lovable Titan mascot.
 
"It was a great day for racing and I would like to thank all the schools, individuals, fans and alums who came out," said Coach Murray. "We had some alums take part in the race and it is great for them to come back and be a part of this tradition."
 
Detroit will have a week off before heading to Notre Dame to compete in the National Catholic Championships on Sept. 19.