September 2013

The Good Neighbor Festival is all about two things: summer fun for the entire community and raising funds for Middleton’s many service clubs. This year’s event, which took place during the final weekend in August, was a success on both fronts, according to organizers. “I think we had a really good year,” said Nancy Vickery, the festival’s president. “Crowds were good, I think everyone had a good time and the organizations raised plenty of money to spend back into the community.”

The message was delivered loudly.

It was hammered home for six days straight.

And it clearly resonated throughout Middleton’s football’s team.

The Cardinals gave a lackluster effort in a Week 1 loss to Madison Memorial. And Middleton coach Tim Simon was determined not to let such a scenario unfold again.

“We talked to the team about what it means to wear a Middleton uniform,” Simon said. “We didn’t play with a lot of pride in Week 1. We addressed what it means to put on this uniform, and if you can’t handle that responsibility, this is the not the sport for you.”

Simon’s team was listening.

Middleton rebounded in a big way last Friday night, hammering visiting Beloit Memorial, 49-0.

The Cardinals got three touchdowns from junior fullback Adam Frye and two more from junior tailback Alex Leahy. Middleton also outgained Beloit, 458-78.

Times are definitely changing inside Middleton’s girls cross country program.

After a brilliant 20-year run, Joe Spolar stepped down after last season. Longtime assistants Cindy Bremser and Isaac Mezera will now work as co-head coaches.

But while there’s been a change at the top, the Cardinals expect the season to be like most others: extremely successful.

Middleton, which finished fourth at the WIAA Division 1 state meet a year ago, brings back six of those runners. And the Cardinals are expecting another season of terrific success.

“I would call this year an improvement year with the talent that is returning and rebuilding with all the fresh new faces,” said Bremser, whose team begins its season Saturday at the Verona Invite. “It is exciting to imagine what we can do this year and in the years to come. 

Franco Marcos likes to load up the schedule.

Middleton’s girls volleyball coach understands the big picture. And Marcos knows taking a few lumps today can help the Cardinals down the road.

That was the case last weekend, when Middleton competed at the star-studded, 24-team Mequon Homestead/St. Thomas More Joust. The Cardinals played well against many of the state’s elite teams, but settled for a 22^nd place finish.

“It was a tough tournament and we left it all on the floor,” Marcos said. “It was a great effort from start to finish. We are a tough team and will grow from this experience.”

Middleton opened as the No. 24 seed in the tournament, but defeated Milwaukee Pius, 25-21, 10-25, 15-10 in its first pool play match.

Mane Bobadilla led the Cardinals with nine kills, while Logan Welti had seven kills and two aces. Arissa Milton had three blocks, Leia Peterman had six digs and Bre Schlueter had 15 assists.