SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Following the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference's (UMAC) release of the 2025 men's cross country preseason poll Friday, the Yellowjackets were selected to claim the program's eighth conference championship.
 
The 'Jackets claimed six-of-seven first place votes after accumulating 36 total points in the poll of UMAC coaches. The final first place nod went to Martin Luther, grabbing 27 points in second place.
 
UW-Superior returns a trio of All-UMAC honorees from the 2024 year, including the junior duo of Dylan Uitto (Ashland, Wis./Ashland) and Ben Placker, alongside the reigning rookie of the year in Maverick Hoogland (Catawba, Wis./Phillips). Uitto was the third team finisher in last year's championship, taking fourth with a mark of 26:55.6. Plackner wasn't far behind with a 27:02.3 finish before Hoogland followed with a race time of 27:45.6.
 
Crown finished the poll in third place with 26 points. Bethany Lutheran and Northwestern followed with 20 and 19 points, respectively, while Minnesota Morris (11) and North Central (8) rounded out the poll.
 
UWS begins the season Friday, Sept. 5 at the Toni St. Pierre Invite. The race is set to begin at 6:45 p.m. at the Boulder Ridge Golf Club in St. Cloud, Minn.