MACOMB, IL. – Western Illinois track and field/cross country added four standout student-athletes to its 2025 signing class, officially welcoming a talented group of future Leathernecks who will join the program next season. The class includes Aliza Dominique (Milan, IL), Maclaine German (Martensdale, IA), Karson Oberender (Martensdale, IA), and Lauren Hillesland (Lakota, IA). Each brings a unique combination of skill, leadership, and championship experience that will add depth and versatility to the Leatherneck roster.

Dominique, a pole vaulter from Milan, IL, comes to Western after a decorated career at Sherrard High School and with the Mississippi Valley Track Club. She earned third place in the pole vault at the Illinois State Track Meet as a junior and qualified for state as a freshman and sophomore. A National Honor Society member and active participant in student government, Dominique has been recognized on the honor roll every year. Her father, Aaron Dominique, competed in football and pole vault at Knox College and currently coaches pole vaulting, while her mother, Angela Dominique, played and coached volleyball collegiately. "All of the people I met on the team were very welcoming," Dominique said. "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." She plans to pursue a degree in Law Enforcement.

German, a distance runner from Martensdale, IA, is a multi-year conference champion in cross country and track at Martensdale St. Marys. She helped lead her team to state qualification each year, placing 16th in cross country as a senior and posting multiple state finishes on the track, including third in the 4x800 relay. German also helped her softball team achieve back-to-back state runner-up finishes in 2023 and 2024. She has been active in student leadership as president of Best Buddies, vice president of student council, and a member of the National Honor Society. "The first time I visited Western, I loved the team and how encouraging Coach Rosado was," German said. "He has given me the opportunity of a lifetime to run and grow with an amazing team, program, and school." She plans to pursue a degree in Nursing.

Oberender, also from Martensdale, IA, earned conference championships in cross country and track at Martensdale St. Marys throughout her high school career. She was an All-State cross country runner, finishing fourth at the state meet as a senior, and posted top state finishes in multiple track events, including third in the 4x800 relay. Oberender also competed in softball, earning second-team All-Conference honors, and has been active in the National Honor Society, Best Buddies, Silver Cord, and the 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 pursue a degree in Dietetics.

Hillesland, from Lakota, IA, has been a state qualifier in both cross country and track all four years at North Iowa High School, earning state medals in multiple seasons. She also competed in basketball and has been involved in numerous academic and extracurricular programs including student council, National Honor Society, FFA, quiz bowl, and school theater productions. She consistently earned high academic honors. "I felt very welcome by the WIU community: Coach Rosado, future teammates, and professors," Hillesland said. "I was impressed with both programs, academic and athletic, and I look forward to growing personally, academically, and athletically at WIU." She plans to pursue a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Head coach Matt Rosado shared his thoughts on the incoming class, emphasizing both character and talent

"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."

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