Kirstein Tyler paced the MU women's team with an 18th place finish.

NORTHVILLE, MICH. -- The Crusader cross country teams competed at the annual Detroit Titan/Running Fit Invite on Saturday at nearby Cass Benton Park. The men’s harriers finished eighth, while the women were fifth.

“I’m happy for the first time in the history of the programs we have been able to score at a race,” said head coach Patrick Daugherty. “We didn’t place as well as we would have liked, but the good news is that we have four more races to improve before the WHAC meet.”

Leading the way for the men was Keith Hearns with a time of 22:43, good for 32^nd place overall. Following Hearns were Joe Horka took 46th place, Jacob Burman (53rd), Max Guy (66th) and Charles Wolfe (73rd).

For the women, Kirstein Tyler was 18^th overall, running at a 21:04 clip. Freshmen Kari Saarela and Devan Walley placed 24th and 27th with times of 22:03 and 22:24, respectively in their first collegiate races.  Sophmore Amanda Weaver placed 37th and Junior Jessika Friend placed 38^th to round out the Madonna runners.

The Crusaders are back in action this Friday when they travel to the campus of Notre Dame for the National Catholic meet.