August 2013

The bar has been raised.

Heck, the bar has been placed somewhere between Mars and Jupiter.

And really, Middleton’s girls swimming program wouldn't have it any other way.

But the Cardinals, who have won three consecutive Big Eight Conference championships, will have their hands full maintaining that standard of excellence this fall.

Middleton lost nearly half of its varsity lineup to graduation. But if there’s been one constant to Lauren Cabalka’s program it’s that the Cardinals reload and don’t rebuild.

“With nearly half of our varsity team being new, it will take us a while to figure out the best lineup and best combinations, but it is not something we are scared about,” said Cabalka, whose team begins its season Friday by hosting Beloit Memorial. “Our girls have stepped up, year-in and year-out, and I anticipate nothing less this season.  

First impressions are often the most telling.

And if that’s the case, it could be another banner season for Middleton’s boys soccer team.

The Cardinals went to Mount Horeb last Tuesday and routed the Vikings, 5-1, in their season-opener. Middleton senior defender Jack Hagstrom, a two-time all-state player, led the Cardinals with three goals.

“Jack Hagstrom was too much for us on set pieces,” Mount Horeb coach Mark Newman said. “He is a two-time all-state player and it showed.”

It was an impressive victory, considering Mount Horeb was the WIAA Division 2 state runner-up a year ago.

The game was tied, 1-1, at halftime. Middleton then erupted with four second half goals and pulled away.

“It took us until the second half to get going,” said Middleton first-year Ben Kollasch, who earned a victory in his debut. “In the first half Mount Horeb showed why they have been to the last three state tournaments.

Sometimes even great teams can have an off night.

Middleton is hoping that was the case with its football team last Friday night.

Facing Big Eight Conference rival Madison Memorial, the Cardinals were simply off from the start. Middleton needed three attempts just to get the opening kickoff in play and things only went downhill from there. 

The Spartans took advantage of Middleton’s sloppy play by scoring on its first drive and pulling away late for a 31-14 victory over the Cardinals in a Big Eight Conference opener at Breitenbach Stadium.

Middleton lost for the fifth time in six games dating back to last season. That hasn’t happened at MHS since 1981.

“We weren’t ready to play tonight,” Middleton coach Tim Simon said. “Madison Memorial beat us on the offensive side and the defensive side and a lot of credit has to go to them, but from our perspective, our play was sloppy right out of the gate.”

Tuesday will be the first day of school this fall.  Students in Middleton-Cross Plains will be walking and riding bicycles to school after a summer away. 

Some of them will be walking to school for the first time, or will be unfamiliar with their routes and any hazards along the way.

“If you have children returning to school, talk to them about safely walking or riding their bicycle to school and their responsibility to obey the pedestrian and bicycle traffic laws for their own safety,” said Mark Walther, Middleton Community Services director and Middleton Police Department liaison to school crossing guards.

Drivers are reminded to watch out for these young pedestrians and bicyclists, to put down their cellular phones - especially near to schools - and to watch their speed.  Remember that the speed limit is 15 MPH where signed adjacent to schools and school crossings when children are present.