Many of Butler's top flight of men's runners will see their first action of the 2022 campaign Friday at the Spiked Shoe Invitational, hosted by Penn State.

THE DETAILS: The men's race is scheduled for a 10:45 a.m. start and will cover 5.2 miles.

THE BULLDOGS: Butler is ranked No. 22 nationally in the coaches preseason poll. Coach Matt Roe has a deep roster to pull from and will establish a line-up from a group that includes Barry Keane, Jesse Hamlin, Ryan Adkins, Evan Byrne, Jack McMahon, Will Minnette, Liam Dennis, Michael Dunagan, Max Lauerman, Sean Robertson, and Andrew Taylor.

All-American Keane, who highlighted his 2021 cross country season with a second-place finish at the BIG EAST Championships and a third-place finish at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional, again leads the Butler contingent.

Hamlin, who owns Butler records in the 800 meters and 1,500 meters, will take a spot near the top of the line-up throughout the season. The Bulldogs also return Byrne, McMahon and Minnette, each bringing experience from running in last season's NCAA Championships. 

Robertson, Lauerman, Taylor and Dunagan raced for the Bulldogs in the season-opening Rose-Hulman Twilight last week, as the Bulldogs coasted to a win with Robertson taking individual honors.

THE FIELD: Butler will be joined in the men's race by a fellow nationally-ranked squad in Syracuse (No. 21), along with the host Nittany Lions, American, Navy, Penn, St. Joseph's, and Youngstown State.

MEET INFORMATION: The annual Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational event is named after long-time Nittany Lion men's track and field and cross country coach Harry Groves. Groves spent nearly 40 years at the helm of the men's program, beginning in 1968 until retiring at the conclusion of the 2006 track and field season. Groves is a 2001 USTCA Hall of Fame inductee, was named national Coach of the Year on five occasions and is a 26-time Regional Coach of the Year honoree. The Invitational is hosted each fall and features high school and collegiate races.

FOLLOW ALONG: Live results will be available with a link on ButlerSports.com.