The Bulldogs opened the season Friday with a dominating performance at the Mike Baumer Cross Country Classic.
 
On the men's side, Butler took five of the top eight positions on the leaderboard as Brendan Thomas won the 5K race in a time of 14:33.3. Kyle Grove and Asher Propst followed in third and fourth respectively, less than two seconds behind Thomas's time. Matteo Rosio was fifth in 14:42.1.
 
As a team, Butler took the title with 21 points, bettering Ohio State (34), host Wright Stat (120) and the entire field.

"That was a fantastic result for our developing group of young guys" said head coach Matt Roe. "There were a lot of great collegiate debuts among our scores.To beat a well-coached, competitive Big Ten team is a testament to the work this group has put in this summer."
 
On the women's side, three Bulldogs posted Top 10 finishes navigating the 5K course at Fairborn Community Park, just outside of Dayton. Kylie Cline was sixth in a time of 17:56.6, followed closely by teammates Mckenna Mazeski (seventh) and Elsa Rusthoven (tenth).

"It was a nice start for our women," said Roe. "They did a good job of working together. When we add our front runner, Hannah Moore, in the line-up, we will be positioned well as a team."

The Butler women placed second in the field with 50 points, trailing only Ohio State.

 
BUTLER MEN'S RESULTS (5K)
1. Brendan Thomas, 14:33.3
3. Kyle Grove, 14:34.0
4. Asher Propst, 14:35.1
5. Matteo Rosio, 14:42.1
8. Charlie Jones, 14:48.2
59. Caden Ozbun, 15:44.5

BUTLER WOMEN'S RESULTS (5K)
6. Kylie Cline, 17:56.6
7. Mckenna Mazeski, 18:01.7
10. Elsa Rusthoven, 18:12.2
13. Alejandra Sierazy, 18:18.1
19. Lila Volkers, 18:33.1
25. Camille El Baghlouli, 18:44.7
31. Carys Glyn-Jones, 19:02.3
34. Ella Olthof, 19:10.1
46. Cameron Kirtley, 19:26.7

UP NEXT: The Rumble in The Fort is the next meet for the Butler women, who will head north to Fort Wayne for that event Sept. 20. The Butler men return to action Sept. 26 at the Gans Creek Classic in Columbia, Mo. The course is also the host of the 2025 NCAA Championships later in the fall.