Of course the All-Americans did great, but what about other runners who ran a great race. I nominate two. David Chirchir of OK State was 21st. But amazingly he passed 86 people in the last half of the race. 86! That's 34% of the field. Amazing race. His coach told him to be conservative since he's a relative newcomer to the sport.
http://www.okstate.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=200&ATCLID=1322451
Supposedly the coach says he could have placed higher if not for being so conservative. True dat, but he also could have died, witness the many seniors and Kenyans who do it every single year without fail.
Another who ran an awesome race was Jacob Gustafsson of BYU. Now a runner who runs 149th is harder to notice, but he passed 71 people in the last half. Obviously a great race. Vin Lananna says you can't win coming from behind, Colorado has but it can work against you. In order to win individually, you need to run from the front, but in order to do your best consistently, you have to run your race, disregarding the pack. A fine edge to do your best and save some to the end, a great feat for great feet.