UK Athletics is on pace for its best-ever finish in the Directors’ Cup.Learfield Sports released updated Directors’ Cup standings following the conclusion of winter sports and Kentucky checks in at No. 20. UK scored 343 of its 511 points in the winter thanks to contributions from rifle, women’s basketball, gymnastics, swimming and diving and indoor track and field. Kentucky is fourth in the standings among Southeastern Conference schools and leads all schools from the Bluegrass state. Louisville is a spot behind UK in 21st.UK has steadily improved in Directors’ Cup standings since Mitch Barnhart arrived as athletics director. UK was 29th in two of the last three seasons after coming in 50th in 2002-03, Barnhart’s first. UK’s best finish in the 20-year history of the Directors’ Cup is 26th in 1996-97.The Directors’ Cup was established in 1993-94 by the National Association of Collegiate Director of Athletics and USA Today to rate the top athletic departments in the country, taking into account all NCAA-sanctioned sports. Barnhart keeps a close watch on the rankings, including them in his 15 by 15 by 15 Plan. He set a goal nearly five years ago for UK to win 15 conference or national championships by the year 2015. After rifle’s conference championship this winter, UK has won 11 titles.With spring sports baseball, softball, outdoor track and field, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s golf still having opportunities to earn points, UK has a shot at cracking the top 15 in the Directors’ Cup a couple years early.