Post Messenger Recorder -

It seems we just woke up to a bright red sunrise and its already 9:59 a.m.  The starter holds a pistol above his head, 140 runners from 20 teams stand motionless on the long white line.  A bang and a puff of smoke sets off the stampede at the Fennimore Cross Country Sectional. 

Dozens of guys sprint each other to the open gates that lead onto to the main course.  Spectators scurry to the top of the hill in time to see the last boy disappear over the top.  A couple Darlington Redbirds break into view, a stream of athletes follow.  With only two of the twenty teams and the five top ind...