May 2014

In the classic television show “Seinfeld”, the neurotic George Costanza often spoke of “going out on a high note.” The premise is to leave at your apex, a showmanship trick that originated in Las Vegas.

Middleton’s girls track and field team did exactly that last Saturday.

Due to future scheduling issues, it’s unlikely the Cardinals will attend the Monona Grove Invitational in upcoming seasons. So if this was indeed Middleton’s swan song, it was a grand exit.

The Cardinals piled up 196 points and rolled to the title for the seventh time in the past eight years. Monona Grove was a distant second (138.5), while Verona was third (112) at the seven-team meet.

“It was bittersweet,” said Middleton coach Tara Franklin, who’s a Monona Grove alum. “The good thing is that tradition carried the girls through.”

Tradition — and remarkable depth.

In most cases, Middleton limited its girls to just one event. And the results were sublime.

VERONA — In less than a month, Middleton’s boys golfers hope to find themselves at University Ridge.

That’s where the WIAA Division 1 state tournament is held.

If the Cardinals make it through a rigorous postseason and navigate their way to state, look out.

Middleton showed the rest of the state exactly that last Wednesday and Thursday. The Cardinals shot a lights-out 598 and rolled to a 41-shot victory at the Morgan Stanley Shootout.

Cardinals senior Josh Haunty shot a 1-over-par 145 over the two-day event to earn medalist honors. Middleton sophomore Brady Thomas carded a 149 and tied for second.

The win helped Middleton jump to No. 2 in the latest Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin poll.

“This win gives us the confidence that we can play well at the venue where it matters most,” said Cardinals senior and No. 1 golfer Josh Haunty. “But none of that matters if we don't get through our tough sectional.
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Tom Schmitt talked about playing spoiler.

About throwing a wrench into someone else’s season.

Perhaps Middleton’s manager was a bit premature.

Before the Cardinals hammered visiting Janesville Parker, 7-1, last Saturday, Schmitt didn’t think his team stood much of a chance at still winning the Big Eight Conference. And perhaps that will wind up being the case.

But after defeating the Vikings, the Cardinals still have hope.

Both Parker and Sun Prairie lead the league with 10-1 records, while Middleton is third at 9-3. But Sun Prairie and Parker still play each other twice, and Middleton hosts Sun Prairie May 22.

So while the Cardinals need a lot of things to break just right, their win over previously unbeaten Parker kept their slim conference title hopes alive.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Middleton manager Tom Schmitt, whose team improved to 12-4. “Especially after what they did to us down there.”

That’s for sure.