West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University has announced the addition of four student-athletes to its 2025 track and field/cross country signing class. The new recruits are Aliza Dominique from Milan, Illinois; Maclaine German and Karson Oberender, both from Martensdale, Iowa; and Lauren Hillesland from Lakota, Iowa. These athletes will join the Leathernecks for the next season.

Aliza Dominique is a pole vaulter who competed at Sherrard High School and with the Mississippi Valley Track Club. She finished third in the pole vault at the Illinois State Track Meet as a junior and qualified for state during her freshman and sophomore years. Dominique has also been active in academics, earning National Honor Society membership and participating in student government. She said, "All of the people I met on the team were very welcoming. I see myself training alongside them and becoming a part of the team. The coaches made me feel wanted, and I know I will learn a lot from them." Dominique plans to study Law Enforcement.

Maclaine German is a distance runner who has won several conference championships at Martensdale St. Marys. She placed 16th in cross country as a senior and achieved multiple state finishes in track events, including third place in the 4x800 relay. German was also part of her school's softball team that finished as state runner-up in 2023 and 2024. She has held leadership roles such as president of Best Buddies and vice president of student council. German stated, "The first time I visited Western, I loved the team and how encouraging Coach Rosado was. He has given me the opportunity of a lifetime to run and grow with an amazing team, program, and school." She intends to pursue Nursing.

Karson Oberender also comes from Martensdale St. Marys, where she earned conference titles in both cross country and track. As an All-State cross country runner, she finished fourth at state as a senior and posted top results in various track events including third place in the 4x800 relay. Oberender participated in softball, earning second-team All-Conference honors, and was involved with groups like National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. "I chose WIU because it truly felt like somewhere I could see myself growing as a student, athlete, and person," Oberender said. She plans to major in Dietetics.

Lauren Hillesland attended North Iowa High School where she qualified for state competition all four years in both cross country and track, earning several medals along the way. In addition to athletics, she participated in basketball as well as academic clubs such as FFA, quiz bowl, school theater productions, student council, and National Honor Society while consistently achieving high academic honors. Hillesland commented: "I felt very welcome by the WIU community: Coach Rosado, future teammates, and professors. I was impressed with both programs, academic and athletic, and I look forward to growing personally, academically, and athletically at WIU." She plans to study Nutrition and Dietetics.

Head coach Matt Rosado praised this year’s recruiting class for their abilities on the field as well as their character off it:

"As we continue to build this team it's important to not only find the right athletes but also the right people. This class fits what we are looking for in more ways than numbers and results. When each of them showed up to campus it was immediately apparent they fit and belonged within our program. I'm excited about what they bring and how they will raise the bar for our cross country and track program."

For further information about Western Illinois University Leathernecks’ track & field/cross country teams or updates on their activities visit GoLeathernecks.com or follow their social media channels.