SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The University of Wisconsin-Superior women's cross country team was slated to win its second Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) title, as the conference released its preseason poll in an announcement Thursday.
 
The Yellowjackets carded 47 points and five first place votes among the poll of UMAC coaches. Coming in second place with 43 points and the three remaining first place votes was Martin Luther.
 
The Yellowjackets welcome four new faces to the program while returning a trio of All-UMAC runners in junior Cora Hudella (North Branch, Minn./North Branch Area) and seniors Halle Barker (Superior, Wis./Superior) and Tea Boerner (Owatonna, Minn./Owatonna).
 
Hudella claimed the individual title during the 2023 UMAC Championships, leading the pack with a race time of 23:02.5. Barker finished third overall and was the Yellowjackets' second finisher, clocking a 23:44.9 before Boerner took fifth overall and third for the 'Jackets with a 24:11.4.
 
Crown finished third in the coaches poll with 36 points while Northwestern finished fourth with 30 points. Bethany Lutheran carded 24 points in fifth with Minnesota Morris trailing in sixth with 23 points. North Central and Northland rounds out the conference with 14 and seven points, respectively.
 
The Yellowjackets begin the 2024 campaign at the Toni St. Pierre Invite, hosted by Saint Benedict. The race is set for Friday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. at Boulder Ridge Golf Club.