Bulldogs Finish Runner-up At Illini Challenge

URBANA, ILL. -- Butler head coach Matt Roe didn’t use his entire men’s squad, but still came away with a second place finish at the Illini Challenge in Urbana, Ill., on Friday (Sept. 3).  Host Illinois claimed the team title in the season-opening meet.

Roe held out several of his top runners, but picked up solid performances from a couple of newcomers.  Freshman Callum Hawkins wound up placing third in the 6K race in 18:43, while freshman Ross Clarke finished seventh in 18:58.

Sophomore Kevin Oblinger was Butler’s third finisher, placing 10th overall in 19:17, while freshman Jackson Carnes came in 15th in 19:53.  Senior Taylor Eaton was the fifth finisher for the Bulldogs, coming in 18th in 19:59.

Illinois captured three of the top four individual spots and finished with a team score of 19 points.  Butler had 43 points, followed by Illinois XC Club (67), Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (116) and Danville Area Community College (138).

Butler Runners
  3. Callum Hawkins, 18:43
  7. Ross Clarke, 18:58
10. Kevin Oblinger, 19:17
15. Jackson Carnes, 19:53
18. Taylor Eaton, 19:59
29. Orion Wenrich, 20:46
41. Denys Booth, 21:52
49. Billy Klimczak, 24:15