10. Kelby Rinas, Mandan (ND)
Coming into the season, Kelby Rinas wasn't expected to be the cream of the crop in North Dakota.
But it didn't take her long to establish herself as such. Not only did Rinas finish the season as the Division A champion and undefeated against North Dakota competition, but four times this year she bested the 2016 Foot Locker National qualifier -- and the seventh-place finisher at Heartland last year, Mattie Shirley-Fairbain. Owner of a personal best of 17:56 and a season best of 18:06, Rinas doesn't have quite as impressive or deep a resume as many other runners in the field, but she also has to her credit a seventh-place finish at the Roy Griak Invitational, beating many other runners on this list.
At this point, she has at best an outside shot at claiming one of the coveted five qualifying places, but she is also just a sophomore and is showing all the signs of a potential national elite.