BUTLER TWP — When the Butler Track and Field Invitational takes place Friday, two-time defending Field MVP Logan Renwick will be watching one of the top events in Western Pennsylvania.

He just won't be a part of it.

Renwick, a senior for the Golden Tornado, pulled a hamstring during the first week of practice and hasn't competed this season.

"Fortunately, there was no tear," said Butler boys coach Rick Schontz. "He's been rehabbing well, running a little and training.

"The goal is really for him to get ready to qualify (for the WPIAL finals) for his senior year. He's been at states the past two years and we really want him to peak.

"We'll take no chances. We'll be patient," Schontz added.

Still, there will be some top athletes and teams at Art Bernardi Stadium. The boys event will mark its 46th year, the girls its ninth.

After being held on Saturdays in its first seven years, 2010 is the second time the girls invitational is being held on the same day as the boys meet.

"That worked out really well last year, even better than we expected," Schontz said. "We really had a good number of teams. We don't have a final count yet, but it looks like it will be another good turnout," Schontz added.

Among the teams headed to Butler are section foes Seneca Valley, Shaler, Pine-Richland and North Hills, as well as Baldwin, Mount Lebanon and a few City League teams.

"We have some bigger teams and a couple newcomers. It should be a very competitive meet," Schontz said.

"Baldwin (boys) has an excellent distance program and their 4x800 team is very strong. Mount Lebanon has some good long-distance kids that placed high in the state meet and in cross country," he added.

An added appeal for this year's invitational is that it's the first big competition of the season.

"That's the neat thing," Schontz said. "The Tri-State Invitational is the first big meet, but they couldn't schedule it as early as they used to, so we're the first really big test for some of the athletes."