11. Sophie Whicher, Minnetonka (MN)
Back in September, Sophie Whicher looked virtually unbeatable, and among her impressive accomplishments were a win over Anna Fenske and soloing a 17:39 performance at the Nike Heartland Pre-Regional race.
But after taking a win over the likes of Emma Atkinson and Emily Kompelien at her conference championships, she took sixth in her section race and eighth at the Class AA Championships.
Even so, the senior has a very long and impressive resume, and is the fifth-highest placing returner in the Heartland region from last year.
It's also worth considering that her Minnetonka team is well within striking distance of their Edina rivals -- who they lost to by five points at their section championships, just missing a bid for the state championships -- so Whicher too may even find herself at Nationals in spite of her ultimate place.