The Butler Boys Track and Field Invitational keeps on rolling.

The Butler Girls Track and Field Invitational is well on its way.

The boys event, begins at 3 p.m. Friday, is now in its 41st year and is as big as ever.

"We're expecting Mt. Lebanon, North Allegheny, Seneca Valley - a lot of real competitive teams," said Butler boys coach Rick Schontz.

"We're expecting good, strong competition in every event. But, there's sure to be some surprises. There always are," he added.

Last year, Butler won the team title for the first time since 2001, when it won its fourth straight title.

The invitational draws nearly 40 teams and this year should be no exception.

The girls event, which will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, is only in its fourth year but has quickly built up to 31 teams.

Sixteen teams took part in the inaugural year in 2002, but that number doubled quickly.

"We have a lot of good, quality teams and we may get a couple of more before Saturday," said Butler girls coach Rod Harris. "A lot of the boys invitational teams have their girls teams here Saturday.

"This is a nice meet for the girls. There are not a lot of girls invitationals around," Harris added.

Erie McDowell won the 2002 and 2004 titles while North Allegheny won it in 2003.

The beauty of the girls event is that it falls on a Saturday. When it first began, there was a relaxed feel to it. Even though it has grown, that attitude is still there.

"There are big and small schools and some just bring a couple of kids," said Harris. "It's a laid-back atmosphere, but it's getting to the point that there are some strong schools coming."

Another benefit to the back-to-back invitationals is that the entire Butler program chips in to keep it successful.

"Everybody helps out," said Harris. "The girls work the boys meet and the boys work the girls meet."

"That's really the nice thing," said Schontz. "The athletes all help out, the coaches help out.

"With the girls meet, things have really gone well, knock on wood. … We started with 15 or 16 teams and it's really grown.

"People go where the competition is," Schontz added.