DECORAH, IOWA . . . The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and Diamond Sports have announced that Luther College senior Tiffany Kruse was one of 10 student-athletes who are the recipients of the 2010 Diamond Catcher of the Year award.

The Diamond Catcher of the Year award is presented annually to the top catcher from an NFCA member institution in each of the following divisions: NCAA (Divisions I, II and III), NAIA, NJCAA (Divisions I, II and III), Cal JC, NWAACC and high school.

Kruse started all 49 games for the Norse in 2010 and helped guide them to 42-7 record and a National Championship appearance.  Kruse was an offensive force for Luther this season, leading the team in RBIs, home runs and stolen bases with 58, 18 and 14, respectively.  Her 18 home runs was not only a school single-season record, but it was also the third most in all of Division III.  Behind the plate, Kruse was equally as dangerous, throwing out nine of 23 would-be base stealers. For her efforts she was named a 2010 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III First Team All-American

Luther advanced to the National Championship for the first time since 1991 and fourth time in school history, after capturing the NCAA III Whitewater Regional Championship. Luther was also making its 11th appearance in the National Tournament and third in the past four years.

The Norse are coached by Renae Hartl who has compiled a record of 248-121 during her nine years at the helm of the softball program.

Kruse, a 2006 graduate of Edgewood-Colesburg High School, is the daughter of Allen and Wendy Kruse of Greeley, Iowa.

Luther College is a four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and is located in Decorah, Iowa. The Norse compete in 10 men's and nine women's intercollegiate sports.

As a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) since 1922, the men have won 151 conference championships. In 1982 the IIAC expanded its championship sponsorship to include women's sports. During this time span, the women have won 60 team titles. Combined, Luther is the first school in the Iowa Conference to capture 211 league titles.

More information on Luther College athletics can be found on the athletic web site at http://sports.luther.edu.