In his final cross country race as a Butler Bulldog, Euan Makepeace claimed All-American honors with a 15^th place finish at the 2019 NCAA Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Ind.

Three qualifying Bulldogs, Makepeace, Simon Bedard, and Emily Royston, braved less than optimal conditions on Saturday (Nov. 23) in a meet that featured the top 500 collegiate runners in the country.
"It was a great day to be a Bulldog," said head coach Matt Roe. "Today was the type of finish you plan, prepare, and aspire for as a coach and as an athlete."
 
Makepeace Ends On Top
Makepeace capped his senior season with an All-American finish in the men's 10K race. The 2019 BIG EAST Champion kept pace with the top pack of runners, holding on to a top-25 spot throughout over half the race.  In the last 4,000 meters, Makepeace worked his way up the pack, finishing strong at 15^th place.

"For me there is no better feeling than to watch a senior on the top of their game on the biggest stage," said Roe. "There are so many steps to get this place. It's a privilege to be on that journey with an athlete and to be a witness to greatness. Today was one of the finest individual cross country moments in school history and it was well earned. Our whole program is proud of Euan."

The top-40 finishers at the NCAA Championships earn All-American honors, however, only the top 15 from both races receive All-American trophies.

Makepeace's finish is the fifth best finish by a Butler men's runner in program history. The most recent Bulldog to place in the top-15 was Eric Peterson (13th) in 2016. Prior to Peterson, Mark Tucker placed third in 2003, Fraser Thompson claimed 14th in 2000, and Julius Mwangi took sixth in 1998.
 
In Their First Year as a Bulldog
Bedard and Royston, after joining the Butler program this season, placed in the top 150 of their respective races.

Bedard found his stride throughout the race, holding pace with several individuals from ranked programs. The All-BIG EAST First Team and All-Region member clocked in at 32:04.8, good for 112^th in the field.

Bedard finished ahead of multiple qualifying team members from the Great Lakes Regional and was the third BIG EAST individual, behind Makepeace and Andrew Marston of Villanova.

Royston was the lone qualifier for the Butler women, trekking the course on her own pace.  In her first appearance at the NCAA Championships, Royston finished 134^th with a time of 21:29.1.

Royston has been a top finisher for the (former) No. 24 women's program throughout the season. She earned All-BIG EAST First Team and USTFCCCA All-Region honors.

"Simon and Emily have improved tremendously in the short amount of time they have been in the program," said Roe. "I am proud of what they accomplished this fall. I am excited to see what they can do moving forward."