INDIANAPOLIS - The Butler Women's Track and Field/ Cross Country teams have announced the signing of 14 female student-athletes for this upcoming fall. The 14 student-athletes have signed with Butler and will make Indianapolis their home to start the 2026-27 season.
 
"We are incredibly excited about our 2026 women's class," said Head Coach Matt Roe. "It is the deepest and most balanced recruiting class in school history. With a centered focus on the Midwest, we were able to land some top prospects in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Minnesota. With the signing of multiple state champions, and athletes from top winning prep programs, we have attracted a sizable group of talented women who love to train and compete at a high level. I am excited to see how they help advance our competitiveness and team culture."
 
"The lion's share of credit for our recruiting success goes to Coach Reed and Coach Fiebelkorn who were both pivotal in assembling this class. They showed their tremendous skill and work ethic at every turn, committing countless hours toward identifying and securing the right student-athletes for our future."
 
Caterina Perego | Homestead High School | Fort Wayne, Ind.
Distance | PR: 17:52.30 XC
 
Perego was a part of the Homestead Cross Country team that was Indiana Cross Country State Champions in 2023. She was a four year All-State Honorable Mention recipient. She holds the Homestead school record as part of the 4x800-meter relay team. She finished top-30 at the New Balance RunningLane XC Championships. 
 
Why Perego chose Butler: "I chose to join Butler because of the small school size, academic opportunities, and the team and campus environment."
 
Kenedi Bradley | Chesterton High School | Chesterton, Ind.
Sprints | PRs: 11.71 100M | 24.37 200M 
 
Bradley was the 2026 Indiana Track & Field Champion in the 100-meter event and finished as runner-up in 2025. She holds the Chesterton school records in the 100 and 200-meter events. 
 
Why Bradley chose Butler: "I chose to join Butler because I feel in love with the campus and am looking forward to working with the coaching staff and my education opportunities here."
 
Callie Bentley | East Central High School | Brookville, Ind.
Distance | PRs: 2:15.40 800M | 5:01.60 1600M | 18:07.42 5K XC
 
Bentley was awarded All-State in cross country twice and once in track. She was a two-time state qualifier in the 800-meters for the Indiana State Track and Field Championship, a state qualifier in the 1600-meter at the Indiana State Track and Field Championship, and was part of the 2024 All-State Indiana State Cross Country Championship. 
 
Why Bentley chose Butler: "I chose to join Butler because I loved the atmosphere and how everyone seemed like they wanted you to succeed. I also loved the running programs and coaches."
 
Lucy Wood | Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory | Carmel, Ind.
Distance | PRs: 10:36.14 3200M | 17:52.00 XC
 
Wood earned Freshman County Champion, Marion County Champion, and Conference Champion. She was an All-State award winner in the 3200-meter event and Cross Country Championships. She has the Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory school record in the 3,200-meters. 
 
Why Wood chose Butler: "I chose to join Butler because I loved the small school aspect, academics, and amazing Bulldog community!"
 
Reese McKinney | Bishop Chatard High School | Indianapolis, Ind.
Sprints/Hurdles | PRs: 8.67 60MH | 14.47 100MH | 7.67 60M | 57.89 400M
 
McKinney was a seven-time state medalist and All-State award winner. She was a Sprinter of the Year award winner in 2024 and 2025. She was a qualifier in the New Balance Nationals Indoor competition in the 60-meter hurdles, 60-meter dash, and 200-meter event. She holds four individual school records for Bishop Chatard. She was a ninth-place finisher in the Junior Olympics in 2025 in the 4x100-meter relay. She finished fifth in the 100-meter hurdles at the Indiana State Track and Field Championships and 2026 State Runner-Up in the 60-meter hurdles at Hoosier State Relays. 
 
Why McKinney chose Butler: "I chose to join Butler because when I stepped on campus I immediately felt at home. The coaches and team were so welcoming, and they all showed me the amazing community that Butler is."
 
Hana Boggess | Ann Arbor Pioneer | Ann Arbor, Mich.
Distance | PRs: 10:44.31 3200M | 17:27.38 XC
 
Boggess was an All-State her senior year. She was part of the conference, state, and regional championship cross country team in her senior year at Ann Arbor Pioneer. With her club team Purple/Ann Arbor Stadium, she became part of the first Michigan team to win the midwest regional. She was a 2026 National Champion in the 4xmile event. 
 
Why Boggess chose Butler: "I chose to join Butler because when I visited and met the team, I instantly knew it was somewhere I could find my place in. It's both academically and athletically challenging and I know it will push me to be better in all aspects of who I am."
 
Susanne Estepp | Paul Laurence Dunbar | Lexington, Ky. 
Distance | PRs: 2.16.83 800M | 5:04.96 1600M | 18:11.00 5K XC
 
Estepp was the 2025 Kentucky Cross Country State Runner-Up, 2024 Regional Cross Country Runner-Up, and Regional 800-meter winner in 2025. Estepp was a 2026 state qualifier in the 800-meter, 1600-meter, and 3200-meter at the Kentucky Class 3A Track and Field Championships. 
 
Why Estepp chose Butler: "I chose Butler for the welcoming team environment, excellent athletics, and beautiful campus."
 
Caroline Murnan | Loveland High School | Loveland, Ohio
Distance | PRs: 24.00 200M | 55.06 400M | 2:08.01 800M Split | 18:14.00 5K XC
 
Murnan was awarded All-State in 2022 and 2023. She was second team All-State in 2025. She was part of two-time cross country titles and three-time cross country state qualifying teams. She is a three-time Ohio State Track and Field Champion in the 200-meter, 400-meter, and 4x800-meter relay. 
 
Why Murnan chose Butler: "I chose Butler because of the great academic opportunities, the location of campus, and the great team environment and coaching staff."
 
Ava Porras | West Ottawa | Holland, Mich.
Distance | PRs: 10:38.43 3200M | 17:50.54 5K XC
 
Porras was an individual conference champion in 2023 and earned All-Region in 2024. With her high school teams, she earned three-time conference champs, four-time regional champs, and state champion. They earned 4x800 All-American honors, All-American honors in the Distance Medley Relay, and school athlete of the year. Porras was a state finalist in the 3,200-meter event at the 2025 Michigan State Track and Field Championship.
 
Why Porras chose Butler: "I chose Butler because of the environment, the campus, and the people. When I visited Butler, I loved the atmosphere. Academically, it felt like everyone genuinely cared about my future and was committed to helping students succeed. When I met the track and cross country team, everyone was incredibly welcoming, and the coaches gave me confidence in both their training philosophy and their ability to develop athletes to reach their full potential. Overall, Butler felt like a place where I could grow both as a student and as an athlete."
 
Hayden Jansky | Lakeville North High School | Lakeville, Minn. 
Sprints | PRs: 58.42 400M | 2:15.36 800M 
 
Jansky is part of the Distance Medley Relay 4000-meter school record holding team. She was a 2026 state qualifier in the 800-meter and a 2025 state qualifier in the 400-meter at the Minnesota State Track and Field Championship. She is a four-time Academic All-State award winner and is an AP Scholar with distinction. 
 
Why Jansky chose Butler: "I chose Butler because it felt like a great fit both academically and athletically. I loved Butler's supportive and passionate coaching staff, as well as the close-knit team culture. Butler's strong nursing program will provide me with great opportunities to pursue my future career goals. The combination of Butler's supportive track team, excellent nursing program, and beautiful campus made it an easy decision for me."
 
Callie Seiler | Northville High School | Northville, Mich. 
Sprints | PRs: 58.02 400M | 25.79 200M 
 
Seiler is a four-time Regional Champion with her high school team. She was All-State in the 400-meter in 2024 and was a three-time Regional Champion in the 400-meter and 4x400-meter relay event. She was a Regional Champion in the 200-meter and 100-meter events. Over her high school career, she was 15-time All-Conference, 14-time All-Region, and All-State. 
 
Why Seiler chose Butler: "I chose Butler because of the amazing educational and athletic opportunities, as well as the very welcoming team and coaching staff."
 
Gabi Brown | Benet Academy | Lisle, Ill. 
Sprints/Hurdles | PRs: 44.12 300MH | 57.86 400M
 
Brown is four-time team conference champion, four-time All-Sectional, and All-State. She holds the school record in the 300-meter outdoor hurdles, 60-meter indoor hurdles, 200-meter indoor event, and 400-meter indoor event. She was a 2025 Illinois DI State Qualifier in the 300-meter hurdles and finished fifth at the Illinois State DI Track and Field Championship. 
 
Why Brown chose Butler: "I chose Butler because of the strong academic opportunities that the university has. The athletic program is also super strong and I am excited to join the team."
 
Madeline Piekarz | St. Charles East | St. Charles, Ill. 
Sprints | PRs: 11.88 100M | 24.96 200M
 
Piekarz holds the school records in the 100-meter, 200-meter, 4x200-meter relay, and 4x400-meter relay. In 2026, she was a State Qualifier for the Illinois DI Indoor Track and Field Championships in the 60-meter and 100-meter events. 
 
Why Piekarz chose Butler: "I chose Butler because of the amazing coaching staff, the successful program, and the great education opportunities."
 
Emily Berger | Waunakee | Waunakee, Wis. 
Distance | PR: 10:38.40 3200M
 
Berger was a four-time cross country state qualifier, two-time cross country team champion, four-time track and field team conference champion. She was awarded Badger Large Conference Female Athlete of the Year and holds school records in the cross country 5K and the 3,200-meter race in track. She earned bronze in the 3,200-meter event at the 2026 Wisconsin State Track and Field Championship. 
 
Why Berger chose Butler: "I chose Butler because of the strong team atmosphere and many resources for student athletes to succeed both in sport and in school."