University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Gans Creek Classic
Panther cross country heads to Columbia for Gans Creek Classic
9/23/2026 1:11:00 PM | Cross Country
UNI cross country at Gans Creek Classic
- 8 a.m. CT | Sept. 25, 2026
- Gans Creek Cross Country Course
- Columbia, Mo.
- LIVE RESULTS
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- The UNI cross country team will continue its season on Friday morning in Columbia, Missouri, competing at the annual Gans Creek Classic.
Competition is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. CT with the UNI women racing in the gold iInvitational six-kilometer event, followed by the men's gold invitational eight-kilometer race at 8:45 a.m. CT.
Teams joining the Panthers in the gold invitational races will include host Missouri, Belmont, Drake, Evansville, UIC, Nebraska Wesleyan, Luther, Knox, Illinois Wesleyan, Grinnell, Gustavus Adolphus, Elmhurst, Cornell (IA), Central, Buena Vista, Simpson and Wartburg.
The Panther women look to build off their strong season-opening performance at the Hawkeye Invite earlier this month, where UNI produced five all-time top-ten 4K marks. Junior Clare Wright led the Panthers with a third-place finish in 14:25, the third-fastest 4K time in program history. Freshman Izzy Hardin impressed in her collegiate debut, placing fourth in 14:34, now fifth all-time at UNI. Sophomore Meghan Wheatley (14:35), sophomore Josee Simonson (14:37) and freshman Lucy Murphy (14:41) all finished inside the program's top-10 list.
Sophomore Sarah Feddersen (14:57) and sophomore Evie Henneberry (15:02) added depth to UNI's scoring pack, while seniors Kaylee Woolery (15:12) and Brooke O'Brien (15:27) provided veteran stability. Freshman Abbi Durow rounded out the lineup with a strong debut in 15:24.
On the men's side, UNI opened the 2026 season with a strong showing in Iowa City. Sophomore Ethan Olds (18:24) led the Panthers with a breakout performance, winning the 6K title and opening his season with a 34-second personal best. Freshman AJ Willey (18:55) impressed in his collegiate debut, placing fifth overall, followed closely by fellow freshman Cooper Erickson (18:58) in seventh. Senior Chase Lauman (19:11) added a top-10 finish, while sophomore Jonas VanDis (19:32) placed 13th in his season opener. Junior Ty Getz (19:44) rounded out UNI's scoring group with a new career-best mark as the Panthers posted a tightly packed early-season effort.
UNI WOMEN'S 6K CAREER BEST TIMES
- Clare Wright — 22:28 at 2024 MVC Championships
- Meghan Wheatley — 21:40 at 2025 Bradley Pink Classic
- Josee Simonson — 22:44 at 2025 Bradley Pink Classic
- Sarah Feddersen — 22:31 at 2025 Bradley Pink Classic
- Evie Henneberry — 22:44 at 2025 Bradley Pink Classic
- Kaylee Woolery — 23:17 at 2023 MVC Championships
- Brooke O'Brien — 22:21 at 2024 MVC Championships
UNI MEN'S 8K CAREER BEST TIMES
- Chase Lauman — 25:44 at 2024 Gans Creek Classic
- Jonas VanDis — 26:15 at 2024 Gans Creek Classic
- Caleb Kass — 26:19 at 2024 Gans Creek Classic
- Carson Owens — 24:42 at 2024 Gans Creek Classic
UNI cross country action can be followed all season long on Facebook (UNI Track and Field), X (@UNITrackFieldXC) and Instagram (@uni_tf_xc). The full schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information, can be found online at UNIPanthers.com.
