The Butler women's cross country team took fifth overall at the Ollie Isom Invitational Monday afternoon at Prairie Trails Golf Course.
Butler, currently 12th in the NJCAA Division I rankings, scored 128 points and had three runners finish in the top 30. Cowley won the meet with 39 points, 21 over runner-up Gillette (Wyo.). Dodge City (84) and Iowa Western (105) placed third and fourth, respectively.
"I thought our women gave a solid effort," said Butler head coach Ryan Turner. "They raced two top-10 programs and it was a little warmer during their race then what the men had to face."
The Grizzlies were led by freshman Irine Jepkemboi, who ran the 5K course in 20:57.59 for a 10th-place finish. Roshae Burrell (22:22.44, 27th) and Jade Searles (22:27.22, 28th) crossed the line less than five seconds of each other.
Other point scorers for Butler were sophomore Janie Salinas (22:50.60, 38th) and freshman Jessica Finney (23:35.70, 49th).
Also running for the Grizzlies were Alex Fulton (23:36.15, 50th), Ariente' Sims (23:36.75, 51st), Darian Trost (23:47.66, 54th), Tesla Madsen (23:52.20, 56th), Jeanna Baker (23:54.98, 57th), Kimberly Travis (27:11.65, 84th) and Madison Bissell (29:13.93, 88th).
"Roshae Burrell and Darian Trost had very solid performances," Turner said. "Roshae coming off an injury looked as good as she has all year. Darian had her best race of her career. She's such a strong runner that hilly and challenging courses are an advanatage for her."
Next up for Butler will be the Region VI Championships in Hutchinson on Saturday, Oct. 29. The Grizzlies will then host the NJCAA Cross Country Championships at Prairie Trails Golf Course on Saturday, Nov. 12.
