Men's Results (PDF) | Women's Results (PDF)
Team Scoring: IUPUI 26, Butler 33 | IUPUI 15, Ball State 40 | Butler 17, Ball State 41
Butler's cross country teams opened the 2015 season Saturday (Sept. 5) at the Bulldog-hosted Butler Opener in Carmel, Indiana.
Despite sitting most of the varsity squad, both teams took second-place finishes at the meet, which was held at Northview Christian Church.
"We utilize this meet as an opportunity for our younger athletes to get exposure to collegiate Cross Country and allow a handful of our older athletes a chance to kick the rust off while they are in a heavy training cycle," said head coach Matt Roe.
"Today was a nice, moderately hard effort for Katherine," Roe said, noting that this was more of a practice meet for Turner. "She is low on training and high on talent. Our focus for her is to build toward a solid training level that will prepare her for bigger meets down the road. I'm excited about her potential."
In the team standings, the women took second behind IUPUI (26) with 35 points. Ball State was third with 76.
On the men's side, sophomore
Chris O'Brien led the team with a ninth-place finish, clocking 19:29.1 for 6k. Sophomores
Billy Thomas and
Malik Mahmud took tenth and 12th, recording times of 19:38.3 and 19:54.8, respectively.
Harry Winter was 15th with a time of 20:23.3, and
Michael Carey rounded out the scorers with a 16th-place finish in 20:45.6. Second-year
George Mertens took 17th with a time of 21:08.7.
"I like this group of young guys," Roe said. "They're working hard toward training at a Division I level, and to push our varsity guys."
IUPUI's Connor Sorrells won the race with a time of 17:57.7. IUPUI won the dual meet, 15-50.
"The course was in fantastic shape, as usual," said Roe. "The Northview staff do a fantastic job. We are grateful for what they do for the sport of cross country."
Butler's next appearance will be Friday, Sept. 18 at the Indiana State-hosted Indiana Intercollegiate Meet at the Lavern Gibson Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, Ind.
