Butler Sweeps Horizon League Cross Country Titles

Horizon League Men's Results
Horizon League Women's Results

The Butler men’s cross country team continued its league dominance and Butler’s women re-emerged as a conference power with a sweep of the men’s and women’s titles at the 2009 Horizon League Cross Country Championship at Kensington Metropark in Milford, Mich., on Saturday (Oct. 31).

Butler swept the top six men’s individual finishes, while capturing the men’s crown with a perfect score.  It was the 12th consecutive league championship for the Bulldogs and the third straight with a perfect score!

Senior Andy Baker raced to his third consecutive individual title in 25:15.6, becoming the first runner in league history to finish first outright in three successive years.  The two-time All-American finished nearly 25 seconds ahead of teammate Tom Boardman, who placed runner-up in 25:39.80.

Junior Justin Roeder followed Boardman by a tenth of a second, finishing third in 25:39.90, while his brother, junior Madison Roeder, was fourth in 25:40.30.  Senior Rob Mullett was three-tenths of a second back in fifth place with a time of 25:40.60, while senior Kris Gauson came in sixth in 25:41.30.

Each of Butler’s top six runners earned first team All-Horizon League recognition.  Junior Matt Lawder, who placed 12th in 26:21.80, and senior Joe Macdonald, who came in 14th in 26:27.60, both were named second team All-League.

Butler’s women rebounded from a third place finish a year ago to capture this year’s title by more than 40 points! It was Butler’s seventh title in eight years and 11th crown in 13 years. The Bulldogs swept the top three individual places and captured five of the “Top 10” individual spots.

Freshman Lauren McKillop edged freshman teammate Katie Clark for the women’s individual crown.  McKillop crossed the finish line in 18:48.30, while Clark finished runner-up in 18:49.  Freshman Shelbi Burnett finished third in 18:58.50, while senior Sara Bird came in sixth in 19:12.30.  All four Butler runners were named first team All-League.

Junior Rosie Edward was Butler fifth runner, placing ninth overall in 19:20.40.  She earned second team All-League recognition.  Freshman Kirsty Legg came in 16th in 19:50.10 and freshman Karleen Ritchie finished 17th in 19:53.50 to round out Butler’s “Top Seven.”

Butler head coach Matt Roe was named Horizon League Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year, while McKillop was chosen as the league’s Newcomer of the Year.