Cross country is the last of the fall sports to start its season, and it takes off for area teams this week with a trio of races.

The Take Flight "Night" 5K will take place Tuesday on the Northwest Arkansas Community College campus in Bentonville. The other two races will be held Saturday, with the traditional Shiloh Saints Invitational taking place in Springdale and the inaugural Chaffee Strong Invitational -- formerly the Fort Smith Invitational -- will be run in Barling.

Here's some of the interesting storylines concerning area runners to keep an eye on as the season takes place through the state championships Nov. 7-8 in Hot Springs.

A showdown is brewing

Defending Class 6A state boys champion Matthew Shelly of Bentonville returns for his senior season, but he should be pushed throughout the season by Fayetteville junior Alan Gallardo-Lopez.

"Two class runners in the state is good to see," Bentonville Coach Mike Power said. "You want that competition to be within the state, and that will only strengthen the state as we move forward and set that bar very high.

Click the link to read more.