2026 Cross Country Intern Introductions

[Editor Note: Carson Vittorio] Thank you to everyone who applied to be an Illinois Running News Intern! Ultimately, we had over 30 applicants apply. You will see these enthusiastic journalists throughout the year helping provide the best content imaginable. This program has a special place in my heart as I started my journalism journey as an intern for Milesplit Illinois and that made me into the journalist that i am today thanks to Tony Jones taking a flyer on a high school kid. Don't be afraid to say hello to these interns at a meet if you see them in an Illinois Running News shirt! These interns will be also joined by contributors Jackson Summy, Noelan Tossing, and Luis Flores!

Brayden Gaffud

Hi everyone. My name is Brayden Gaffud and I am a senior at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park. I would firstly like to say that I am extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Illinois Running News team for the 2026 XC season. I have been running since freshman year, so this sport means a lot to me and I am really excited to share my passion with you guys. Throughout my time at Sandburg, I earned SWSC Cross Country All-Conference 3 years, have raced cross country State 3 years, and qualified for State Track last spring in the 3200m. I have been running varsity all 4 of my years here. This season my goal is to earn All-State, but also to just enjoy the rollercoaster of emotions that running brings. My favorite course to race at is Detweiller Park. You can’t beat its electric and fast atmosphere. Some of my favorite memories with my teammates happen off the course, from getting Chipotle to hanging out at a bonfire late into the night.

Outside of running, one of my favorite things to do is cook for myself and my friends. During the summer, I would always enjoy eating some fresh steak and eggs after a tough workout in the brutal heat. I also like making burgers, tacos, and fried rice on my flattop grill. Not only do I love cooking, but I also love trying new foods too. This past June I traveled to South Africa, where I was able to taste exotic meals such as ostrich, springbok (South African antelope), warthog, and crocodile. Some other things I love doing include golfing, watching soccer, playing pickleball, and going to local farmers markets.

I would like to once again thank Illinois Running News for this opportunity. I can’t wait to start writing for them and interacting more with the running community. If you have any cool content ideas, please feel free to send me a DM on insta @brayden_gfud34 or send me an email bgaffudrunning@gmail.com. See you guys this season!

Brodie Peterson

My name is Brodie Peterson, I am a graduate from Morris Community High School in 2026, while now continuing my education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I am very excited to announce that I am going to continue being an active member of the Illinois Running News family! Although I joined during Track Season last year, this will be my first XC season coverage, and I am stoked to take it on. I'd like to thank Carson Vittorio and all of the other IRN interns for making my experience last Track season so fun. Before I discuss my excitement for my tasks this season, I want to introduce myself a little bit.

I have been running for 9 years now. I started back in 5th grade and I still run to this day. I was a 4-time Varsity Athlete for my high school's Cross Country and Track & Field teams. Although I chose to say goodbye to competing for the school's main running teams for an education at UIUC, I still love running and training for marathons and Iron Mans now. However, I never even knew I would find this love for this sport. The only reason I did it is because my best friend asked me to when I was younger. Now, I didn't love it back then. It wasn't even until I was a junior in high school that I truly got to appreciate running. Not only is it a chance to better yourself everyday, but it's a chance to get to know those around you and be involved in such a supportive and motivated community. But, if you are reading this right now as a runner in middle/high school and you don't enjoy XC that much, let me give you a thought. Who are you really running for? If you answered that with "yourself", you are doing this whole sport wrong. Running Cross Country is a team sport, and it always will be. You cannot run with yourself in mind. You have to run for your brothers and sisters around you. You could have a great race one day, but everyone else has a poor one. You can spend the rest of the day feeling accomplished, or you can get back to work and help lift up your teammates who didn't perform to their liking. You can finish a workout and go home directly after. Or, you can stick around and bond with the family you have right in front of you. Cross Country is full of a lot of tough choices. But, every choice is easier to make when you do it with the people surrounding you everyday at practice. Doesn't matter if they're Varsity, JV, Boy, or Girl. They could even be from different divisions. But, at the end of the day, the best runners and teams in the state are the ones who push each other, motivate each other, have fun with each other, fail with each other, and succeed with each other. So, I can't tell you that in November you'll be hoisting up a trophy or wearing a shiny medal. However, I can tell you that if you run this season with this WE > ME mindset, I know you will have such a fun time doing it. And I can speak from experience, as soon as I adopted this mindset, I've loved running ever since.

Now, as an IRN Intern, I love getting involved in everything. So, you can see me designing graphics, writing previews, interviewing athletes, and so much more this season! If you have any questions or would like to get in contact for an interview, don't be shy and email me @brodiepeterson2007@gmail.com or dm me on instagram @brodiepeterson26. I am more than happy to help out anyone who needs anything. Good luck to all of you and I can't wait to see the amazing things everyone accomplishes this season!

Ian Adler

My name is Ian Adler, and I am an incoming junior at Deerfield High School. I’m beyond excited to have the opportunity to have a second year working as a photographer for Illinois Running News, and am thrilled to continue spreading awareness of Illinois running across the state. I first joined Cross Country when I was a freshman and ever since, I’ve been obsessed with the sport and have wanted to share the joy of running with people around  me.  As a photographer, I’ll make sure to get the best photos possible. If you have any ideas or thoughts you'd like to share, feel free to DM me on Instagram (@Ian Adler__Photo) or email me at: ianadler711@gmail.com I’d love to hear from you, and I can’t wait for an amazing season ahead!

Sydney Cline

Hi! My name is Sydney Cline, and I am so excited to be interning with Illinois Running News this year! I am a junior at Lockport High School, where I am a member of both the dance and track teams. Although dance season takes place during the fall and winter, I always look forward to getting back on the track.

My favorite events are the 100-meter hurdles, 100 meter dash, and 300-meter hurdles. I qualified for state my freshman and sophomore years, and this past season, I accomplished one of my biggest goals at state by making the finals and placing in the 100-meter hurdles.

What I love most about the Lockport track team is the uplifting environment our coaches have created and the support we have for one another. After every meet, when most teams have already gone home, our team stays together for a chant and huddle led by our head Coach, Coach Kravitz, where we recognize something great we saw from one of our teammates that day. I believe the sportsmanship, teamwork, and pride we have for our school is what truly sets our team apart.

During the summer, I run with Plainfield Pack Track Club, run by Carson Vittorio. I have so much fun at practice each day, and I am grateful to have coaches who are knowledgeable, supportive, and invested in my athletic career. I am excited to see all of my hard work and progress come together during my junior track season.

One of my short-term goals for this upcoming season is to place in the top nine in two events at state, while my long-term goal is to continue running at the collegiate level. While I am new to the cross-country world and still learning, I am excited to experience the sport from a different perspective and to become more involved in the running community.

This season, you will find me taking photos, creating videos, and writing for Illinois Running News. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to be a part of something from the sidelines that means so much to me. I am looking forward to meeting new people, cheering everyone on, sharing athletes’ stories, and getting to help showcase the incredible running community we have here in Illinois!

If you have any questions or inquiries, you can reach me at sydneycline27@gmail.com or on Instagram @sydney.cline1.

Momo Hashimoto

Hi everyone! My name is Momo Hashimoto. I am a Senior at St. Charles East High-school, and a former member of the Saints Girls Cross Country and Track Team. I’m incredibly grateful and excited to be a member of the Illinois Running News Intern Team for this season. I truly love being around the sport and the energy of running, and I am very excited to contribute to the coverage of the Chicagoland area!

I started running in elementary school simply because I had a bit too much energy as a kid and was naturally drawn to running around. In middle school, trying out racing was pure fun and just something new to try. Once I got to high school, however, running quickly became my outlet to clear my mind, my space to push myself, and my way to feel in control of my health and discipline. I started off as a sprinter, but by my Sophomore year —with much convincing from teammates and coaches— I became a mid-distance runner. Cross country became so special to me and I grew to love the long runs and summer heat. Running taught me invaluable skills and I am thankful for every second I had with my teammates and coaches that affirmed my love for the sport. Unfortunately, I began to face an overuse injury towards the end of my junior year cross country season, and ultimately developed Compartment Syndrome. After months of physical therapy, lots of cross training and time off, I made the decision to hang up my spikes during summer training before my senior cross country season. Despite not being able to run competitively anymore, my love for the sport hasn't gone away and I knew more than anything that I wanted to find a way to keep the sport as part of my life.

I started out recording race videos for Athletic.net last track season while I was unable to race, and ended up helping out with the Meet of the Week shows and other odd-jobs with Palatine Pack. I am now lucky to be in a position in which I can help out covering the sport I love and capturing the emotions, highs-and-lows, and stories behind this sport. I’m excited to watch the season unfold and am grateful to work with an amazing intern team. Thank you to Carson Vittorio for leading our team and to you for reading my introduction. If you have any questions or would like to reach out, please email me at momohashimoto3@gmail.com or message me on instagram at @momoko.hj.

Ella Buciak

Hi everyone! My name is Ella Buciak and I’m a senior at DePaul College Prep. I’m super excited to formally introduce myself as part of the team at Illinois Running News! I started doing some coverage at the start of indoor track and had the opportunity to do some of the interviews at the outdoor state meet this year, which was super fun!

I’m definitely a distance runner, focusing on the 1600 and 3200 during track. I started running in 5th grade, but didn’t take it super seriously until freshman year. While my freshman year is where my love for running really began, it wasn’t until my sophomore year where my commitment was cemented. My sophomore year was gearing up to be a breakout season for me, but half-way through the season, I got a stress fracture. It was devastating. It forced me to evaluate everything running was to me, and if I wanted to continue. That period of reflection allowed me to see beyond my own personal records and start begin to dive into the storytelling of running.

Interviewing athletes has definitely strengthened my improvisational skills and taught me so much about other individual stories that can be applied to a collective. Running is something that unifies together through struggles—the injuries, hard practices, and the losses—but also the peaks—the wins, PRs, or the euphoria of a runner’s high.

Thank you to Carson for this opportunity, I’m super grateful! If you want to get in touch, you can contact me at ellabuciak05@gmail.com or @ellabuciakruns on Instagram!

Gracie Van Hoof

Hi everyone! My name is Gracie Van Hoof, and I’m a junior at Tri-Valley High School. I’m so excited to be joining Illinois Running News because I’ve always loved following meet results, keeping up with runners and teams across Illinois, and seeing all of the stories behind the races. Some of my closest friends have come from running, whether through my club team or from competing against athletes from other schools, so I’m super excited to have the opportunity to work with and highlight some of the people who have made the sport so special to me. I’m looking forward to learning more about running media and helping bring light to the athletes, teams, and stories that make the running community so great.

I’ve been running cross country and track since sixth grade, and I compete in events ranging from the 4x800 to the 3200. I actually started running 5Ks with my mom when I was eight, but I never expected running to become such a huge part of my life. Over the years, the sport has taught me so much about being a family, resilience, and pushing through when things get difficult. Some of my favorite parts of running are claiming new PRs, racing with my teammates, and seeing all the hard work from practice pay off on race day. Outside of running, I’m also involved in club swim and cheer, and I enjoy music, reading, and spending time with my friends and family. If you have any questions, story ideas, or just want to connect, feel free to reach out to me through email at vanhoofgracie@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram at @runningwithgrace.22 I’m incredibly grateful to Carson Vittorio for giving me this opportunity, and I can’t wait to get started!

Finn Godlewski

Hi Everyone, I'm Finn Godlewski, and I'm a senior at Crystal Lake Central High School. I have been writing for Illinois Running News since the 2026 outdoor track season, and I have really enjoyed it so far. I love running, biking, eating, and spending time with my friends. I will continue to help write short articles for Illinois Running News and help where needed. I started running in middle school for soccer, and I've done track since 7th grade and XC since last year. My big goals are to continue running after high school, qualify for state two more times, and enjoy the little time I have left. Thanks for reading; can't wait to help write more for Illinois Running News.

Clara Knutsen

My name is Clara Knutson, and I'm a junior at Uni High in Urbana-Champaign. I've run track for 5 years and cross country for 3. I started off as a sprinter, but I found my love of running in distance. Although I quit the cross country team in seventh grade after thinking that it was "too much" running, cross country is now my favorite sport. I love the pasta parties, long runs with my teammates, and night meets under the lights! Besides running, I enjoy hiking, painting, and spending time with my family. Lately, I've also become invested in running news, listening to podcasts and reading about the goings-on in the running world, which is why I'm so thrilled to be joining the Illinois Running News team. This season I'll be mostly writing for IRN, as well as doing some meet coverage in the central Illinois area. If you ever see me, feel free to say hi! I'm very excited to cheer everyone on and see what this cross country season holds in store for the state of Illinois! 

Jacob Cranford

My name is Jacob Cranford, and I am from Bethalto, Illinois. I am currently a freshman at Heartland Community College, where I am continuing my education while running cross country. I ran for Civic Memorial High School under Coach Jake Peal, and I am currently running at Heartland under Coach Johnathan Nowacki. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to be an intern for Illinois Running News, and I’m extremely grateful for the chance to be involved and help share the stories of runners and teams across Illinois. As an intern, I will be covering most of Southern Illinois and look forward to highlighting the athletes, teams, and meets from the area. I started running cross country in sixth grade and began competing in track in seventh grade. Since then, running has become a huge part of my life. As a runner myself, I understand the hard work, dedication, and commitment that goes into the sport. From the excitement before a race, to pushing through the hardest parts, to crossing the finish line, running creates experiences and stories that go far beyond the results on a results sheet. One of the things I enjoy most about running is following the Illinois running scene and keeping up with athletes, teams, and meets from around the state. Having competed in many meets myself, I’ve seen firsthand how much goes into the sport and how every runner has their own story.Although this is a new experience for me, I’m excited to learn and grow as a writer while combining my passion for running with the opportunity to tell those stories. My goal as an intern is to highlight the athletes, teams, and moments that make Illinois running so special and give readers a closer look at what happens beyond the results.I’m extremely excited for this opportunity and can’t wait to see what the season brings. If you have an idea for an article, know of a story that deserves to be told, or simply want to connect and talk about Illinois running, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram at @Jacob_4eagles by email at Jacobcranford27@gmail.com.I’m looking forward to meeting new people, learning more about journalism, and helping showcase the incredible running community across Illinois.

Ian Tancrell

My name is Ian Tancrell, and I am a sophomore at Galena High School. I’m thrilled to announce that I will be covering cross country meets this year as part of the Illinois Running News family. I would first like to thank Carson Vittorio for this opportunity, and I hope everyone is excited for the upcoming season. I will take this opportunity to introduce myself to all of you who do not know me.

I began running cross country in 8th grade to participate in a fall sport. In high school, I joined the team once again to stay active, but that’s when my love for the sport truly began. The thrill of competing against so many other runners at once and the almost indescribable feeling of achieving a new PR captivated me. Once I got hooked on the sport, I became a true fan, watching every race I could and keeping up with the latest times, winners, and news in Illinois. So when I heard about the opportunity to join a platform like Illinois Running News, it was a no-brainer. My goal here at ILR is to bring more fans to the sport so they can enjoy the thrill as I do. I once again want to thank Carson Vittorio for this opportunity, as well as the Galena-East Dubuque-River Ridge cross country team, which helps make this sport so much fun. 

Ryan Vozas

Hi everyone!  My name is Ryan Vozas, and I am a current senior at Fremd High School!  I am super excited to have the opportunity to be a writer for Illinois Running News for this cross country season!  I’ve been involved with running for close to 7 years, and I’m super pumped to be able to spread my passion across the state!  Whether it’s a chill practice with the team, or it’s meet day with all the stress that comes with it, I absolutely love running with all my heart!  The fact that I’m getting the chance to write about these thoughts and feelings - about runners in my home state - is going to be awesome, and a huge shoutout to Carson Vittorio for giving me the opportunity!  I can’t wait to start writing for you guys!  If you ever have an article idea  or suggestion, please feel free to email me at Ryanvozas@gmail.com.  Super excited for an incredible season!

Vinny Ciccarelli

Hi! My name is Vinny Ciccarelli, and I am very excited to be a newly added intern with Illinois Running News for the 2026-2027 Cross Country and Track Season. I am a student at Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox, IL. I have developed a strong passion for photography and videography. I love capturing the moments that many people enjoy, especially capturing an athlete when they win their first State Title. Throughout the Cross Country and Track seasons, I enjoy being behind the camera and capturing the moments that make these sports so special. From the starting line to the final stretch, I love photographing athletes as they compete, push themselves, support their teammates, and accomplish goals they have worked hard to achieve. Being involved in the sport as a photographer has given me the opportunity to meet many athletes, coaches, families, and other people who share the same passion for running. I really enjoy being able to support local athletes by showcasing their hard work and dedication through my photography. Joining Illinois Running News is an exciting opportunity for me because it allows me to combine two things I really enjoy: sports and photography. I am looking forward to learning more about sports media, improving my photography skills, and gaining experience working with a professional running news organization. I am especially excited to continue following Cross Country and Track & Field throughout the seasons and capturing as many great moments as possible. Whether it is a big race, a personal record, a team celebration, or simply a moment between teammates, I want my photos to help tell the story of the athletes and the sport. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of Illinois Running News, and I am excited to see where this experience takes me. I look forward to meeting more people throughout the running community, continuing to grow as a photographer, and most importantly, having fun while doing what I love. Instagram Handle - snapshotmedia26