NEW YORK, N.Y. - Senior middle distance runner Siofra Cleirigh Buttner (Dublin, Ireland) was the top collegiate finisher in the 800 meters as Villanova concluded two days of competition in the Columbia Challenge on Saturday afternoon. Members of the Wildcats distance group competed in the 800 meters, the Mile and the 3000 meters on the New York Armory track.

Cleirigh Buttner recorded a time of 2:04.16 and finished seventh overall out of 51 entries in the 800 meters. She ran in the fastest heat of the event alongside several professional runners, including Philadelphia-based pros Ajee Wilson and Charlene Lipsey. It was the first 800 meter race of the indoor season for Cleirigh Buttner, who is the Villanova indoor school record holder.

Four other Wildcats competed in the 800 meters, including freshman Rachel McArthur (Bristow, Va.) who crossed the finish line in 2:07.75. The former scholastic national champion in the 800 meters ran the event for the first time as a collegian as the indoor season begins to ramp up. Senior Kelsey Margey (Huntington, N.Y.) recorded a time of 2:11.58, while senior Rebecca Del Rossi (Canton, N.Y.) and sophomore Amari Onque-Shabazz (Plainfield, N.J.) had times of 2:15.06 and 2:26.98, respectively.

Junior Kaley Ciluffo (LeClaire, Iowa) competed in the Mile and came in third in her heat with a time of 4:45.02. She was 14th overall out of 36 entries.

The trio of junior Nicole Hutchinson (West Vancouver, B.C.), freshman Lauren Ryan (South Yarra, Australia) and junior Bella Burda (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.) ran for Villanova in the 3000 meters. Hutchinson raced in the fastest heat and came in ninth in her section with a time of 9:26.85. Ryan finished in 9:37.19 and Burda recorded a time of 9:59.49.

Next up, the Wildcats host the Villanova Invitational at Ocean Breeze Track & Field Athletic Complex in Staten Island this coming Friday.