Midgets win Metro-East Lutheran Invite, Kristen Busch runs sub-19 at Mud Mountain course Saturday

Kristen Busch (left) and twin sister Caitlin swept the top two spots at the Metro East Lutheran Invitational Saturday at SIU-E. Kristen ran the course in 18:57. Caitlin placed 2nd with a time of 19:47. The sophomores run cross country for the Freeburg High School Midgets. Photo/Tom Atwood

Josh Laurent finishes strong at O'Fallon. Photo/Tom Atwood

Senior Stephanie Dalla Riva (right) and sophomore Lizzie Anderson near the start of the Belleville West/O'Fallon meet Saturday. Photo/Tom Atwood

Post-race pizza

Members of the boys and girls cross country teams gather at Imo's in Edwardsville for lunch after first meet. Photo/Tom Atwood (click image to enlarge)

Senior Emily Firsching leads second pack of runners at O'Fallon Family Sports Complex. Photo/Tom Atwood

Chris Shaw down the stretch at O'Fallon meet Saturday. Photo/Tom Atwood

Cross country season resumes, and so does Photo of the Day; Tigers run at new O'Fallon XC course; Morgan, Wright top finishers

THE SEASON BEGINS: Girls run first at O'Fallon, marking the start of the 2009 cross-country season. Photo/Tom Atwood (click image to enlarge)

In her first high school race, Edwardsville freshman Ariane Wright grabs second behind Belleville East's Maria Effinger. Photo/Tom Atwood (click image to enlarge)

Dameon Morgan wins the O'Fallon cross country meet Saturday. Photo/Tom Atwood (click image to enlarge)

Start of the boys race Saturday at O'Fallon. Photo/Tom Atwood (click image to enlarge)

Junior Alex Wever finished second among EHS girls at O'Fallon meet Saturday. Photo/Tom Atwood (click image to enlarge)

Michael Gorsage (left) and Greg Dunn battle Mascoutah runner at the finish. Photo/Tom Atwood (click image to enlarge)

EHS team t-shirts, modeled above by Shanice Rice, feature bright orange and an inspirational quote from Winston Churchill. Photo/Tom Atwood (click image to enlarge)