University of Northern Iowa Athletics
University of Northern Iowa
Hawkeye Invite
UNI cross country begins 2026 season Friday at Hawkeye Invite
9/3/2026 10:35:00 AM | Cross Country
UNI cross country at Hawkeye Invite
- Friday, Sept. 4, 2026
- Ashton Cross Country Course
- Iowa City, Iowa
- 8 a.m. CT - Women's 4K
- 8:30 a.m. CT - Men's 6K
- LIVE RESULTS
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The UNI cross country team will open its 2026 season on Friday morning in Iowa City at the Hawkeye Invite.
Due to excessive heat in the area, competition will now begin at 8 a.m. CT with the women's four-kilometer race, followed by the men's six-kilometer race at 8:30 a.m. CT.
Northern Iowa begins the season with a sizable core of returning distance runners to its roster. On the women's side, seniors Kaylee Woolery and Brooke O'Brien lead the charge for a Panther squad that finished fifth at last year's Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Championships, alongside juniors Meghan Wheatley and Clare Wright. The Panther women also return a strong sophomore trio in Josee Simonson, Evie Henneberry and Sarah Feddersen, all of whom made notable strides throughout last fall. Rounding out the lineup are three freshmen in Abbi Durow, Izzy Hardin and Lucy Murphy, who will make their collegiate debuts and add fresh depth to the roster.
On the men's side, UNI features a mix of developing talent and emerging contributors. The Panthers will race their seniors, Caleb Kass, Chase Lauman and Carson Owens, along with this week's single junior racer in Ty Getz. Northern Iowa also returns two sophomore talents in Ethan Olds and Jonas VanDis, while capping the roster with three freshmen expected to compete on Friday in Cooper Erickson, AJ Willey and Caleb Rankin.
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.
