Each year, the University of Northern Iowa men’s and women’s cross-country teams look to the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Championships as one of the premier races of the season. After hosting the event at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in 2024, the Panthers traveled to Evansville, Indiana, for the 33rd edition of the men’s championship and 47th edition of the women’s. Following a strong showing in last year’s competition, both UNI squads hoped for another standout outing on a crisp Halloween morning.
Sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s provided nearly perfect running conditions on race day. Winds below 10 mph offered a welcome change from the recent gusty weather in Cedar Falls.
The Northern Iowa women took advantage of the ideal conditions to finish fifth out of The Valley’s 11 teams. Freshman Lindsey Sonderman led the Panthers, covering the 6K course in 21:32.79 to finish 16th overall, narrowly missing the final All-Conference honorable mention spot. Trailing Sonderman was senior Millie Hill, who returned from injury to bolster UNI’s depth, placing 19th in 21:39.89. Fellow senior Melody Ochana followed in 24th at 21:52.99, just ahead of teammate Meghan Wheatley, who took 25th in 21:54.25.
Leah Klapatauskas rounded out the scoring for UNI, finishing 31st in 22:05.06. Kaylee Woolery placed 34th in 22:11.37, while Claire Wright broke the 23-minute barrier with a 22:53.48 for 53rd. Sarah Feddersen followed in 55th at 22:57.71. Brookie O’Brien capped the lineup with a 23:16.66 for 62nd.
Bradley University dominated the women’s field, earning a perfect team score of 15 points. The Braves’ Kaitlyn Sheppard won the individual title in 20:48.73.
On the men’s side, Northern Iowa finished ninth out of 11 conference teams. Junior Colin Lillie again led the Panthers, clocking 25:15.25 for 22nd place on the 8K course. Freshman Ethan Olds followed closely in 23rd at 25:16.45 — a promising result for his first MVC Championship.
Micah Rees finished 48th in 25:47.84, while Drew Dombrosky ran 26:07.80 for 59th. Ty Getz rounded out the scoring five, placing 70th in 26:20.99. Caleb Kass took 75th in 26:30.35, and Jonas VanDis followed in 78th at 26:39.74. Brayden Picken placed 85th in 27:24.85, and Josh Gormley closed out the UNI lineup in 88th at 27:31.75.
Bradley also claimed the men’s team title with 49 points, led by individual champion Jayde Rosslee, who won in 24:01.52.
Both UNI squads return to action Nov. 14 when they travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the NCAA Midwest Regional.
