University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Gans Creek Classic
Panther cross country shows growth at 2026 Gans Creek Classic
9/25/2026 9:35:00 AM | Cross Country
COLUMBIA, Mo. --- The UNI cross country team posted strong individual improvements at Missouri's Gans Creek Classic on Friday morning, highlighted by ten combined career-best times.
UNI's women's squad opened the morning in the six-kilometer gold invitational race, battling a deep Division I and regional field on the Gans Creek championship course and all finishing within a 27-span of one another. Junior Clare Wright led the Panthers, clocking a time of 21:32 to place 123rd overall with a 56-second career best and her fastest 6K performance in a UNI uniform.
Sophomore Meghan Wheatley followed in 136th place (21:42), finishing just two seconds off her lifetime best. Sophomore Josee Simonson continued her strong early-season form with a 57-second career best, running 21:47.0 for 141st place. Senior Kaylee Woolery added another major improvement to the lineup, posting 21:49.6 for 144th, a new career-best time by one minute, 28 seconds.
Sophomore Evie Henneberry delivered a 51-second career best in 21:53 (151st), while freshman Lucy Murphy completed her first collegiate 6K in 21:59.3, placing 160th and establishing her initial career mark at the distance.
UNI's men squad put together a steady team showing in the eight-kilometer race, led by junior Chase Lauman in 140th place with a career-best mark of 24:39 at the front of the Panther pack. Juniors Carson Owens (162nd / 24:54) and Ty Getz (238th / 25:55) added veteran stability, while sophomores Ethan Olds (167th / 24:57) and Jonas VanDis (228th / 25:46) continued their early-season progression.
Freshmen AJ Willey (185th / 25:05) and Cooper Erickson (193rd / 25:09) delivered strong efforts in their first collegiate 8K, strengthening UNI's depth across the lineup.
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Dan Huston Invite, hosted by Wartburg College.
UNI WOMEN'S RESULTS (6K)
- 123rd - Clare Wright (21:32)
- 136th - Meghan Wheatley (21:42)
- 141st - Josee Simonson (21:47)
- 144th - Kaylee Woolery (21:49)
- 151st - Evie Henneberry (21:53)
- 160th - Lucy Murphy (21:59)
- DNF - Izzy Hardin
UNI MEN'S RESULTS (8K)
- 140th - Chase Lauman (24:39)
- 162nd - Carson Owens (24:54)
- 167th - Ethan Olds (24:57)
- 185th - AJ Willey (25:05)
- 193rd - Cooper Erickson (25:09)
- 228th - Jonas VanDis (25:46)
- 238th - Ty Getz (25:55)
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.
