The Butler men’s cross country team in action at the Bulldog Invitational. Photo by Becca Atchley.

BECCA ATCHLEY | STAFF REPORTER | batchley@butler.edu

The Butler men’s and women’s cross country teams hosted their final home meet of the fall season Friday afternoon in the Inaugural Butler Bulldog Invitational at the Northview Church Campus in Carmel, Indiana. The Bulldogs competed against Indiana Statue, Indiana, IUPUI, Marquette Catholic, and Illinois State.

The men were led by freshman James Sweeney who crossed the line in 25:53.50 for 8K.

The men ran just six, placing all within the top 33 places. They were rounded out by Blake Roberts, Jacob McKenna, Trey Harris, Nick Robie and Lascelles Hussey. Most of these guys have not raced in the biggest races for the Bulldogs, so this gave them one last opportunity for the season to get an 8K race under their belt as the rest of the team heads into the postseason with the Big East Championships set for next weekend.

The women had a nearly identical afternoon, finishing 2nd as a team, just five points behind Marquette. The Bulldogs were led by sophomore Corinna Pena, who took 6th overall in 18:25.9 for 5K.

The women ran just enough to score, five — Clare McCabe, Kara Stark, Allison Miller and Emma Bailey rounded out the scorers for the bulldogs.

Both the men and women will travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin, next weekend for the Big East Championships. The Butler women will come into the competition as the only ranked Big East team, after being ranked No. 26 in the Oct. 22nd USTFCCCA Poll.