The Butler men are ranked No. 15 nationally in the 2025 U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) preseason poll.
 
The Bulldogs finished 20th nationally at the 2024 NCAA Cross Country Championships. The 2024 appearance at the NCAA Championships was the fifth consecutive berth for the Butler men.
 
William Zegarski headlines the returners after earning 2025 All-American honors with his 17^th-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Cross Country Championships and capturing the 2024 NCAA Great Lakes Regional title.
 
Zegarski is not the only returner who has experienced success on the national stage. Jesse Hamlin battled injuries during the 2024 campaign but previously earned All-America honors in both indoor and outdoor track and field events at the NCAA Championships. Matthew Forrester redshirted the 2024 cross country season but earned All-America honorable mention honors in the 5,000 meters at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
 
Austin Gabay, Sean Byrnes and David Slapak joined Zegarski among the Butler Seven who competed at the 2024 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
 
Graduate transfer Eli Fullerton arrives at Butler from Indiana Wesleyan, where he earned NAIA All-America honors 10 times. Australian Seth Mahony also redshirted the 2024 campaign but is expected to be a significant contributor over the next few seasons.
 
Both the Butler men and women will open the 2025 campaign Friday, Sept. 5 at the Mike Baumer XC Classic in Fairborn, Ohio.