The boys squad finished sixth in team scoring with 144, while the girls also placed sixth with 156.

"We ran well as a team despite being unhappy with the end result of not qualifying as a team," said boys head coach Richard Mason. "This regional was one of the toughest in the state. We are fortunate to have five individuals get out."

The top five teams go on to sectional.

"Leyden girls have not competed in a regional in the past three years and we faced a high lever of competition," said girls coach Kathleen Gudez. "However, all was not lost as the top five (Eagles) secured the only individual qualifying positions and will be running at Niles West."

The top five boys teams heading to sectionals are York (29 points), Maine South (48), Lake Park (82), Glenbard East (88) and Willowbrook (138).

"We went back and forth with Willowbrook all year, and they ran better as a team (Saturday) than we did," Mason said.

York also earned top team honors in the girls race with 21 points. Lake Park was second (73), followed by Maine South (84), Glenbard East (92) and Willowbrook (118).

The course on the Niles West campus is flat and appears to be unchallenging. However, it can be very difficult if the weather is windy -- and coming out of the north. Also, the turns on the grass course are very tight and cause runners to bunch up.

"We're looking forward to running well at Niles West," Mason said. "The state's best teams and runners are there, so it will be challenging. I believe Herald (Alvarez) has a great chance to qualify for State if he runs the way he has all year long."

Herald Alvarez, Leyden, 16:11; Hector Patino, Leyden, 17:01; Arthur Williams, Leyden, 17:03; Fernando Ramirez, Leyden, 17:35; Roberto Gonzalez, Leyden, 17:52

 The boys race will begin at 10 a.m. and the girls event will start at 1:30 p.m.