February 2014

Ryan Groy always thought this was possible.

From the days he was the biggest kid at Sunset Ridge to his time dominating defensive linemen while at Middleton High School. Groy always believed his eventual landing spot would be in the National Football League.

Now, that day is getting closer.

Groy, who recently completed his senior season at the University of Wisconsin, took his show to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last week. There, he did all he could to show scouts he could be the latest in a long line of great UW linemen.

“I've loved (football) since I was in fourth grade,” said Groy, a 2009 graduate of MHS. “It's been my life since then and it's everything it is now. You go to bed and wake up thinking about football and it's never really changed.”

Shay Haase’s goal hasn't changed.

What is different is that’s Middleton’s standout junior wrestler is far closer to achieving his ultimate objective.

Haase finished in first place at 152 pounds during last Saturday’s WIAA Division 1 WIAA Division 1 Waunakee Sectional. Haase now advances to the state meet, which runs Thursday through Saturday at the UW Kohl Center.

“My goal has been the same since the start of the season,” Haase said. “And that's been to be standing on the podium on Saturday.”

Middleton senior Nathan Dresen finished second at sectionals and also qualified for state. The Cardinals’ other 10 sectional qualifiers failed to earn a trip to state.

“The one thing about sectionals is it’s the will and the want,” Weiler said. “It’s a lot of emotions. Emotions are running so high all day long, and at the end of it all, you just hope to have a couple of kids still standing.”

There’s nothing quite like ‘Senior Night.’

It’s the end of an era. Emotions are high.

And victory is imperative.

Middleton’s boys basketball team made their ‘Senior Night’ a memorable one last Tuesday with a 61-43 non-conference win over Waunakee. The Cardinals improved to 12-9 overall, while the Warriors fell to 3-17.

With eight seniors on the team — and an entire starting lineup consisting of seniors — the night was unforgettable for Middleton.

“ ‘Senior Night’ is always special and this is as talented and dedicated group as I've had, as well as one of the most enjoyable to be around day in and day out,” Middleton coach Kevin Bavery said. “I'm happy for them to be able to get the ‘W’ on Senior Night, but more importantly we'd like to have them keep their final season of Cardinal Basketball alive for the next few weeks as we enter tournament play.”

There were many signs to suggest that’s possible.

Middleton’s hockey season came to an abrupt end last Thursday, with a 3-2 overtime loss to Madison West in a WIAA Regional final.

Now, Cardinals athletic director Bob Joers will turn the page to next year.

Steffon Walby just finished a five-week stint as Middleton’s interim head coach. And once the hockey postseason ends on March 8, Joers will begin the search for the Cardinals’ next head coach.

“I think it’s a really good job,” Joers said. “I’m expecting a lot of people to apply.”

Tony and Steve Libert, who helped make Middleton’s program a state power in their 21 years as co-coaches, were dismissed on Jan. 17 following a locker-room incident. Walby, a former player and coach in five different minor professional leagues, was brought in to a tough situation and did an admirable job.

Middleton finished the year 4-5-1 with Walby in charge. The Cardinals then won their playoff opener before falling to Madison West.