SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) revealed its 2023-24 Kruse Award standings in an announcement Thursday, and the Yellowjackets currently sit in first place.
 
First awarded in the 1996-97 season, the trophy is named after Jerome Kruse, athletic director at Martin Luther and Northwestern. The trophy recognizes the top athletics department throughout the circuit each season.
 
UW-Superior earned 52 points in the fall semester, picking up a conference-leading five championships in men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, and men's golf.
 
The 'Jackets hold a five-point lead over Northwestern, who secured the volleyball and women's golf championships earlier this season. Crown follows in third with 34 points, who holds a slim lead over Martin Luther with 33.5 points and Bethany Lutheran with 30.5 points.
 
The conference is rounded out with Minnesota Morris in sixth place with 28.5 points, Northland with 21.5 points and North Central with 15.
 
The Yellowjackets won the Kruse All-Sport Trophy for the first time in 2021-22 and repeated in the 2022-23 season.