The Butler women’s cross country team placed second at the Illini Challenge last Friday while the men finished fourth.

It was the season—opening meet for both teams.

The women were led by freshman Olivia Pratt, who won the women’s four-kilometer race with a time of 14:18.

Competing in her first-ever collegiate race, Pratt said that she was looking forward to wearing a Butler uniform for the first time.

“I was really glad to go out there and run a really good time for me,” Pratt said. “I was excited to put a Butler uniform on and start my college running career.”

Loyola won the women’s competition with 38 points, and the Bulldogs finished the meet with a 49-point outing that was good enough for second in the eight-team field.

The second Bulldog to cross the line was senior Kaitlyn Love who finished in fifth place with a time of 14:55. Fellow senior Lauren McKillop rounded out the top-ten finishers with a time of 15:11.

Host Illinois won the men’s competition, with 26 points.

The Butler men were led by sophomore Kodi Mullins, who placed 11th in the men’s six-kilometer race with a time of 19:04.

Junior Billy Klimczak finished 19th with a time of 19:35.

The teams are back in action at the Indiana Intercollegiate Meet in Terre Haute on Sept. 14.