One of the biggest days on the fall sports calendar for area schools happens Tuesday at Hillcrest Academy when they host their annual early bird meet. Six area schools are participating at today’s meet. The Ravens are coming off of a season that saw the girls send Leah Bontrager to the state meet where she finished 72nd. As a team the girls were eighth at the conference meet and seventh at the state qualifier. The Hillcrest boys were sixth at conference a season ago and 10th at the 1A state qualifier.

The Washington Demons open up their cross country season today in Kalona. A year ago the Demons sent Evan Horak to state where he finished 94th of 131. Other notables out for Washington include Justin Simmering, Lance Sobaski and Elijah Morris. On the girls side Abbi Voss is the top returner. She will compete along with sister Gracie Voss, Josie Tanner, Tori Hinson and Hannah Reese.

Also joining those two schools there from the area will be Highland, Lone Tree, WACO and Winfield-Mt. Union. Action begins at 5p.m. at Hillcrest Academy.