BUTLER TWP — Fifty years later, the Butler Track and Field Invitational hasn’t lost its luster.

It’s seen significant growth since humble beginnings.

The Butler boys won the first event in 1965 that consisted of a five-team field, including Aliquippa, Ambridge, Beaver Falls and New Castle.

Friday night, the Butler Invitational will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a 41-team field. Combined with the girls invitational, which started in 2002, the event will have 1,220 athletes compete.

“Our meet is always a great mid-season measuring point,” Golden Tornado girls track coach John Williams said. “We attract many of the top teams in Western Pennsylvania. With the quality of teams and athletes entered we expected to see some meet records shattered.”

Having such a big meet early in the season is also a big draw.

“It’s one of the early invitationals and the best competition at the time,” Butler boys track coach Rick Schontz said. “It can be used as a measuring stick by coaches.”

Area teams have won or shared the team title 12 times. The Butler boys have won a record nine times, with its last title coming in 2001.

The Butler girls won three times, with the Golden Tornado’s last title coming in 2011.

“I think as far as the team goes, we’ll be competitive,” Schontz said. “You have to be careful with how you use athletes because Tuesday we have a big section meet against Seneca Valley. You don’t want to wear them out.”

Knoch freshman Jordan Geist is the top seed in the shotput. Geist broke the Knights’ school record with a throw of 61-4 1/2 earlier this season.

Butler’s Bobby Burdine (200 dash) and Mars’ Ori Rinaman (110 and 300 hurdles) will be in the hunt for titles.

Schontz expects Butler’s Derrick Gengler (shotput), Chris Short (800), Josh Rader (800) and Brandon Critchlow (800) will challenge for medals.

On the girls’ side, Slippery Rock’s Emily Campbell’s top throw of 138-0 in the discus has the top seed. Campbell is also highly seeded in the shotput.

Grove City’s McKenzie Fagan is seeded first in the high jump (5-5), while Butler’s Julia Baxter is seeded second (5-4).

Shaler junior distance runner Brianna Schwartz, who broke the meet record in the 800 and 1,600 last season, will also be back.

Williams also hopes that Emily Horstman, as well as the 400 and 1,600 relay teams, will use the increased competition to better their times.

“With the great competition coming we’re looking for our best performances of the season,” Williams said. “That’s one thing the Butler invite brings out is best performances.”