What are the toughest HS leagues in the US?

Toughest leagues (or their functional equivalents) that I can think of for boys (not necessarily in order):

Greater Spokane League WA: North Central, Joel Ferris, Mead, Central Valley, Lewis & Clark, University, Mt. Spokane, Shadle Park, Gonzaga Prep, Rogers.

10 schools, 4 of which have made it to NXN while another (CV) probably should have in 2006, and 3 of them have finished a season US#2 or better at some point; University has been NW Top-5, Mt. Spokane has been near the NW Top-10, and Shadle Park and Gonzaga Prep has had some good individuals (in the last two years: Nathan Weitz, Connor McCandless both ~9:00 or better) and some years have state-caliber teams as well.

Sunset League CA: Dana Hills, Trabuco Hills, El Toro, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Capistrano Valley.

6 schools, 3 of which have made it to NXN though haven't yet had a top-5 finish (Dana Hills has been sixth though, and Trabuco Hills ninth).

Region IV UT: American Fork, Herriman, Lone Peak, Pleasant Grove, Riverton, Lehi

American Fork is the only school to make it to NXN, though Herriman was very close to making it last year (IMO they would have been an At-Large invite if their #4 was just 15 seconds faster at NXN-SW). Very deep group though, with all the boys teams except Lehi getting ranked at some point in the last three or four years (I think I had PG ranked for at least part of one year? could be remembering wrong though).

Lake Conference MN: Wayzata, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka

Three of the five have made it to NXN, while the others have all had some good individuals if not regionally strong teams.

I'm sure there are others, but I didn't really look too far. The above is for boys only, of course...

It's actually the South Coast league which is a part of the Coast View Conference. Sunset League is a north Orange County league.

South Coast League has traditionally been the best league year after year.

South coast league.

Catholic League, IL

Isn't there a league in NY where three teams in the same team are nationally ranked/make it to NXN?

It's gotta be the Greater Spokane League. Everyone knows Spokane's individual and team success, plus they actually go hard at league meets not like some good schools who put their jv runners in league meets so varsity can rest for invites.

the century league on the boys side boasts some of the top individuals in the state and country, with 5 boys (almost 1/2 of the southern section masters meet final!) making state in the 1600m, with only one senior in the group. 3 of the returners just took 3 of the top 6 spots at the woodbridge invite...

Yeah section 3 in new york has Fayetteville, Liverpool, and West Genesee. West Genesee isn't that good, but Manilus and Liverpool are both great teams. Section 2 in NY isn't too shabby either.

For girls, easily NY section 2-Suburban Council: Saratoga, Burnt Hills, Holy Names, and Shenendahowa

I go to Shenendehowa (I run for the boys) and I can testify to how hard those girls work day in and day out. Core every single day (even race days) cross training, and a good amount of mileage are just some of the things. This is what they have to do to be able to compete in that section. There is a great dedicated group of top 20 or so and their coach is incredible, a really well respected guy.

Coast View Conference wrote:

It's actually the South Coast league which is a part of the Coast View Conference. Sunset League is a north Orange County league.

Yep, thanks for the correction.

Also, since we're bringing up girls now: Suburban Council NY is obviously the first one to mention. Mid-Suburban League IL, South Coast CA (again), Bay CA (Mira Costa, Redondo, PV, etc.), and maybe Palomar CA are a few others.

Girls - Skylands (NJ) Conf

Boys - Shore (NJ) Conf

The GSL (Spokane) is by far the toughest league in the nation for guys. Over half the league (6/8) have been nationally competitive (top 50, maybe all have been top 30 at some point?): Mead, North Central, Lewis and Clark, Ferris, University, and Central Valley [Watchout you can correct me if I'm wrong on this].It's not a one or two team league. There is no other league in the nation (guys) that can boast of this sort of perennial prowess.

And if you back historically, you can add Rogers to that list from the 60s. Not sure if Shadle has ever been as competitive as a whole team for the guys. I know they have had some great individuals.

California Penal.

Yeah region iv Utah. The composition of that league has changed over the years but that and region v have had some solid individual runners come out of it.

Rohatinksys

Harpers

Bybee

Andrus

Perry

Goodwin

GSL is the toughest boys league in the nation. If the GSL teams from the past 10 years (top year for each school) raced against the any other league, the GSL would average a higher finish than any other league.

Oh and InlandNWRunner, I think you forgot a couple teams.