Andy Baker Places Runner-Up At Pre-National Invitational

Senior Andy Baker turned in a strong individual performance and wound up finishing second in an elite field of runners at the Indiana State Pre-National Invitational at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course in Terre Haute on Saturday (Oct. 17).  Butler’s men placed 13th in the competition, while Butler’s women came in 19th.

Baker covered the 8K course, which will serve as the host site for the 2009 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championship, in 23:45.4.  He trailed individual champ Luke Puskedra of team champ Oregon by five seconds.

Junior Madison Roeder was the second Butler runner to cross the finish line, coming in 65th in 25:50.3.  Senior Tom Boardman was 76th in 24:54.2, senior Rob Mullett placed 118th in 25:23.9 and senior Kris Gauson came in 127th in 25:31.8.  Also in Butler’s “Top Seven” were junior Matt Lawder (152nd in 25:50.6) and senior Stephen Lisgo (174th in 26:02.2).

There were 34 teams and 236 runners entered in the Men’s Blue Race.

Freshman Katie Clark paced Butler’s women with a 45th place finish.  She posted a time of 21:33.2 on the 6K course.  Jenny Barringer of team champ Colorado won the women’s individual title in 19:50.9.

Butler freshmen Lauren McKillop and Kirsty Legg both finished among the “Top 100” individuals.  McKillip finished 56th in 21:43.1, while Legg placed 97th in 22:03.  Senior Sara Bird came in 140th in 22:31.2, junior Rosie Edwards was 155th in 22:41.9, freshman Shelbi Burnett finished 203rd in 23:20.5 and freshman Karleen Ritchie placed 226th in 23:49.3.

The Women’s Blue Race had 37 teams and 249 total runners.