HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Butler women's cross country team took third place to start the season at the 2016 Terry Masterson Twilight Classic in Hutchinson on Friday night.

The ladies took off from the start line at 9:00 p.m. at the Fun Valley Sports Complex in Hutch. Throughout the three-mile course, the Lady Grizzlies battled up in the ranks led by freshman Jade Searles, who placed ninth with a time of 19:23.5.

Dodge City won the meet with a score of 72 points, followed by Emporia State with 85 and Butler with 89. The Grizzlies had five individuals place in the top 25.

Sophomore Janie Salinas finished 19th with a time of 20:16.1, while Roshae Burrell placed 24th (20:29.4) and Irine Jepkemboi placed 25th (20:29.4). Rounding out the scoring for Butler was Jeanna Baker, who took 31st overall (20:45.0).

Also running for Butler were Conangela Senior (20:46.4, 32nd), Jessica Finney (21:07.0, 44th), Tesla Madsen (21:21.1, 51st), Alex Fulton (21:27.7, 54th), Darian Trost (21:42.3, 59th), Madison Bissell (22:33.1, 74th) and Kimberly Travis (22:40.3, 76th).

"We've been very fortunate the past two seasons to bring home region championships," said Butler head coach Ryan Turner. "Each year is a new year and we have new faces. Today, we lost to a very good Dodge City team, which was an eye opener for our women.

"We can't just show up to meets with Butler on our chest and expect to win," added Turner. "Our women are very hard workers and I have faith that when the time comes, they'll be ready next time around."

Butler will travel to the OSU Cowboy Jamboree in Stillwater, Okla., on Saturday, Sept. 24 for its next race.