THE ATHLETES
One Team. One Family.
The team at Railroad Athletics includes a variety of athletes with a wide range of goals. From new athletes focused on staying healthy to experienced professionals with eyes on the Olympic Trials. Each goal matters and every athlete deserves an individualized plan to help them get there. Get to know our athletes and their goals below!
ANNA BENEDETTINI
The fastest woman in Railroad history, Anna holds our team records in every event she's contested. Her secret? Cold brew coffee and sour gummy worms. (We're not kidding). She's on a mission to be one the of fastest women in America, and we're not betting against her.  Follow her @annabene713
ALLEN SUMRALL
Constitutional scholar by day, stud athlete by night, Allen has more degrees than we can count, but still reps Railroad in some of the fastest races in the country. If he's not out for a run, he's probably critiquing your grammar. A member of our Austin Elite group, follow him @allensumrall
CASSIDY HEATON
Keep your eyes on this one! Since joining Railroad, Cass has won the North Carolina 5k title, several regional races, crushed nearly all of her PR's, and has quickly become one of the fastest women in the southeast. The only one we know able to keep up with her energy is her dog Chance! Based out of Durham, NC, follow her @smiles_over_miles
MICHAELA REINHART
50% smiles, 50% speed, this Kentucky gal joins Railroad after a standout career at Duke. She's excited to chase postcollegiate goals, particularly on the Track, but has been a great addition to our XC team. Based out of Durham, NC, follw her @michaelacreinhart
JORDAN WEST
Amateur Dad, above average marathoner, Jordan has repped Team Choo Choo in top races all across the US, including for 16th at the USA 25k Championships, all in a quest to be cooler than his little sister Anna B! Based out of Waco, TX, follow him @jorbin_west
EMMA ALLISON
Cross a Georgia peach with a hiking hippie and you've got the dedicated and passionate Emma Allison. Since joining RR, she's dropped her best 5k from 20+ minutes to 18:47 and, despite balancing training with Duke Law, she's still getting better all the time. Based out of Durham, NC follow her @live_think_run
SCOTTÂ BEARDSLEY
A trail junkie, bearded hunkie, The Beard is an artist in the office and a grinder on the trails. Since joining RR, he's successfully achieved his goal of sub-20 in the 5k and his times are still dropping. A prolific racer, look for him on the podium of any GA trail race. Based out of Alpharetta, GA, follow him @scottie_beards
CHRISTIAN DANG
A proud back-of-the-pack runner, Christian runs more marathons than anyone you know, and all the other races too. Always sporting a smile no matter how many miles he's run, he's based out of Austin, TX, follow him @danged_up
ELI DECKER
A Northeastern transplant, Eli brings a quintessential DIII attitude to running: consistent, determined, but never taking himself too seriously. With extraordinary range from the mile to the marathon, Eli trains with our Austin Elite group. Follow him @eli.decker
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KEILI DORN
The NAIA 5k Champion, Keili brings a winning mentality to the already competitive Austin team. She's already an expert on the track, but will test her skill on the roads this season. Based near Austin, TX, follow her @runwithkeiii
BRANDON EDWARDS-MUNTER
Better known as the Track Fox, Brandon's Bronx roots bring a contagious passion for the community aspect of the sport. Now based out of Austin, TX you can follow him @track_fox
STEVEN GROUSNICK
Few folks love track quite like Steven. A stalwart of the Austin, TXÂ running scene, Steven is seeking to make his return to prominence in the local 800/1500m circuit, but don't be surprised to see him at the front of some shorter road races soon as well! Follow him @steve.g.guy
TAYLOR HADLEY
High School tennis star turned collegiate distance runner, Taylor Hadley brings a fresh perspective and untapped potential to Railroad. Based out of Youngstown, Ohio follow her on IG at _tayylorrrrr
LAURA HAM
Laura's love for running is electric. A true long-distance runner, Laura is eyeing goals in the half and full marathon. Her patience, drive, and consistency epitomize the Railroad mindset and we cannot wait to see what she accomplishes. Based out of Dallas, TX, follow her @laura__ham
CAROLINE HORTON
Caro takes Railroad international! After attending Furman with Coach Hayden, Caroline became Railroad's first athlete. Now, she is representing Team Choo Choo in long distance races in Israel where she resides with her husband Jack. Yea, Israel. Follow her @carohorton1212
MELANIE HUSSEY
Always smiling, always eager to race, Melanie joined Railroad feeling like she was in a never-ending injury cycle. Now she's healthy, getting faster every week, and is poised to make some noise in early 2023. She’s the only one we know who can keep up with Cassidy (other than Chance, of course) based out of Durham, NC follow her on IG at @melaniehussey
LAUREN OHLER
A Houston, TX native, this woman is no stranger to the Texas heat. Tough as nails and ready for any distance, she'll be tearing up the Austin racing scene before you know it. Based out of Austin, follow her journey TX @lodawgohler
GRACE MARMARAS
After tearing her meniscus in August 2019, Grace saw Railroad as an opportunity to come back better than ever. Since joining, she's improved her PR's in everything from the 5k to the half marathon and she's getting stronger every week. Based out of D.C., follow her @grace_v_m44
EJ PORRAS
Despite being the unofficial team freshman, EJ brings to Railroad the patience and consistency necessary for success at the highest levels. He's a born distance runner and is unafraid of any distance, catch him on the roads and the track! Follow him @ej.porras (even if he never posts)
CHRISTIAN SCHAAF
Christian is the Railroad prototype: DIII graduate, no scholarship, no national championship, no excuses. He ran faster each year of college and sees no reason to stop now. Watch out for him on the trackk this Spring! Based out of Philadelphia, PA, follow him @cschaaf1999
ALEC SCHEERER
A steely veteran on the elite running scene, Alec joins Railroad with a consistent record of superb endurance racing. With some speed work and a little bit of fine tuning, we think he’s poised to set PBs that will turn heads. Based out of Huntersville, NC follow him at alecscheerer_eliterunning.
HEATHER STONE
Hardworking, with an invincible positive attitude, Heather's repped Railroad throughout the Texas road running scene as she continues her postcollegiate running career around a busy career. Based out of Dallas, follow her @heathergrace23
TAYLOR SMITH
You don't often see a pole vaulter switch to distance running, but so far, the results have been excellent. Taylor has joined our Austin Elite group with a growth-mindset and positive attitude, we're excited to have him on the team. Follow him @tayloraubreysmith
BRADEN VIDEON
An avid cyclist and gym rat, Braden joins Railroad for a half marathon this Spring. After sustaining an injury while following an online plan, he's opted for an individualized approach to keep him healthy and moving.  Based out of Charlotte, NC, follow him @bvideon
BRODY WOOTEN
Railroad's youngest member doesn't lack for speed, strength, or ambition. He quickly made an impact on his HS XC team as the team's #1 runner as a freshman, breaking 18 as well, but the best is still yet to come. Based out of Hoschton, GA, follow him @beastkidfitness
IN-YOUNG JO
Whether he's trying to run 29,069 feet of elevation gain in a month or do 100 push-ups every day for 100 days, In-Young is always up for a challenge and his next one is qualifying for the Tokyo Marathon. Based out of Austin, TX follow him @inyoungjo