Genni Gardner, Andrew Toward Place First At Butler Invitational

Sept. 1, 2006

Junior Genni Gardner placed first in the women's competition and senior Andrew Toward captured the men's division at the season-opening Butler Invitational cross country meet held on Friday, Sept. 1. The non-scoring competition included teams from Ball State, Wright State, Indianapolis and Marian.

Gardner pulled away from the field on the Butler campus course and crossed the finish line in 18:28. Her winning time was 27 seconds better than the Ball State duo of Sarah Kehe and Ali Bishel, who finished second and third, respectively. Karen Bower of Indianapolis finished fourth in 19:13, while her teammate LeAnn Sarka came in fifth in 19:32.

The only other Butler runner to finish among the "Top 10" individuals in the women's competition was junior Aubrey Smith, who placed ninth in 20:14. Junior Sarah Kemple, running unattached, finished 11th with a time of 20:26.

Toward also won by a comfortable margin. He finished the men's race in 21:08, 16 seconds ahead of runner-up Antony Kariuki of Marian. Butler freshman Justin Roeder, running unattached, finished third with a time of 21:52, while Butler junior Kent Wories and Butler sophomore Phil Schwein came in fourth and fifth, respectively, with identical times of 21:52.

Also posting "Top 10" finishes for the Bulldogs were senior Chad Ware, who placed eighth in 22:12, and freshman Andy Barbeau, who was 10th in 22:19. Freshman Brett Millard, running unattached, came in ninth with a time of 22:14.

Butler head coach Joe Franklin did not use his entire men's and women's squads in the opening meet.

BUTLER WOMEN: 1. Genni Gardner, 18:28; 9. Aubrey Smith, 20:14; 14. Caitlin Helgesen, 20:39; 17. Maggie Mathieson, 20:55; 20. Ashley Salt, 21:01; 26. Ashley Dick, 21:38; 27. Rachel Hojnacki, 21:39; 30. Jenny Homan, 21:48; 41. Erica Buster, 22:57. UNATTACHED: 11. Sarah Kemple, 20:26; 29. Alyssa Burkhardt, 21:44; 37. Cindy Maier, 22.25.

BUTLER MEN: 1. Andrew Toward, 21:08; 4. Kent Wories, 21:52; 5. Phil Schwein, 21:52; 8. Chad Ware, 22:12; 10. Andy Barbeau, 22:19; 12. Matt Dunham, 22:21; 22. Phil Hawley, 23:26; 33. Taylor Eaton, 25:18; 37. Dan Bardua, 28:10. UNATTACHED: 3. Justin Roeder, 21:52; 9. Brett Millard, 22:14; 30. Nick Zellmer, 24:32; 35. Andy Devereaux, 25:43.