In a season that has been filled with a few nerve-racking moments for the Saugus High girls' cross country team, the only drama surrounding the Centurions attending the sixth annual Nike Cross Nationals would be whether or not they would accept the invitation to race Saturday in Portland, Ore.

As for Royal of Simi Valley, after taking second to Dana Hills of Dana Point in its past two races following an unbeaten start, the nation's former top-ranked boys' cross country program had to wait for the 11-member NXN committee to offer the Highlanders an at-large berth to participate in the 22-team event.

When the boys' and girls' fields were finalized Sunday, Royal and Saugus found themselves attending the national event together for the first time since 2006. Royal took second to Coatesville, Pa., in its last appearance at Portland Meadows, while Saugus finished 18th in its national finals debut before taking second the past two seasons.

"Hopefully it will give the guys something to get excited about," said Travis Edwards, one of six Royal seniors who was awarded one more race after a 104-113 setback Saturday to Dana Hills in the Div.I state final at Woodward Park in Fresno.