University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Redbird Invite
UNI cross country: Klapatauskas and Lillie lead at Redbird Invite
9/12/2025 12:28:00 PM | Cross Country
NORMAL, Ill. — The UNI cross country team returned to action on Friday morning competing at Illinois State's annual Redbird Invite at the D.A. Weibring Golf Course in central Illinois.
Running in their second meet of the season, Northern Iowa put on a strong performance with the Panther women finishing second out of six teams, while the UNI men took fourth. Illinois State captured the women's team title, as Wartburg won the men's title.
In the women's six-kilometer race, sophomore Leah Klapatauskas led the way for the Panthers placing fifth with a career-best time of 21:54. Amelia Hill followed in seventh place, also posting a new career-best time of 20:50. Lindsey Sonderman took eighth in 22:17, while Meghan Wheatley finished ninth with a career-best time of 22:25.
Kaylee Woolery crossed the line in 16th place with a new career-best time of 22:50. Melody Ochana followed in 20th place with a time of 22:59 in her season debut, followed by Clare Wright in 21st (23:04).
Additional UNI women competing included Evie Henneberry (23:05) in 23rd place, Josee Simonson (23:10) in 28th, Brooke O'Brien (23:11) in 29th and Sarah Feddersen (23:15) in 31st.
On the men's side, sophomore Colin Lillie led the Northern Iowa men in the eight-kilometer race, placing 25th with a new career best time of 25:37. Ethan Olds followed in 29th with a time of 25:45, as Micah Rees took 30th place (25:47) and Drew Dombrosky in 36th place (26:00).
Ty Getz took home 40th place with a time of 26:08 in his collegiate cross country debut, with Josh Gormley in 47th with a new career-best time of 26:21. Rounding out the Panther men, Jonas VanDis earned 50th place with a time of 26:29, Caleb Kass taking 51st (26:30) and Brayden Picken placing 61st with a time of 27:24.
UP NEXT
The Panthers will travel to Columbia, Missouri, on Friday, Sep. 26, for the Gans Creek Classic. Competition is scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m. CT.
UNI WOMEN'S RESULTS - 2025 REDBIRD INVITE (6K)
- 5th - Leah Klapatauskas (21:54)
- 7th - Amelia Hill (22:07)
- 8th - Lindsey Sonderman (22:17)
- 9th - Meghan Wheatley (22:25)
- 16th - Kaylee Woolery (22:50)
- 20th - Melody Ochana (22:59)
- 21st - Clare Wright (23:04)
- 23rd - Evie Henneberry (23:05)
- 28th Josee Simonson (23:10)
- 29th - Brooke O'Brien (23:11)
- 31st - Sarah Feddersen (23:15)
UNI MEN'S RESULTS - 2025 REDBIRD INVITE (8K)
- 25th - Colin Lillie (25:37)
- 29th - Ethan Olds (25:45)
- 30th - Micah Rees (25:47)
- 36th - Drew Dombrosky (26:00)
- 40th - Ty Getz (26:08)
- 47th - Josh Gormley (26:21)
- 50th - Jonas VanDis (26:29)
- 51st - Caleb Kass (26:30)
- 61st - Brayden Picken (27:24)
UNI cross country action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Track and Field), X (@UNITrackFieldXC) and on Instagram (@uni_tf_xc). The full schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
Players Mentioned
