April 2015

Wed
22
Apr
Wed
22
Apr
Wed
22
Apr
MTT News's picture

Look who's No. 1

Middleton’s boys golf team had an awfully exciting 24-hour stretch this week.

First, the Cardinals were ranked No. 1 in the first Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin (GCAW) poll of the season.

Middleton then played to that lofty standard and won the 22-team WPGA Invitational Monday afternoon at Maple Bluff Country Club.

On a cold, wet and rainy day, the Cardinals shot 325 as a team and edged Madison Edgewood (326) by one shot. Monroe was third at 327, while Stoughton (339) and Waukesha Catholic Memorial (340) rounded out the top five.

“Very good event for us at the WPGA,” Middleton coach Tom Cabalka said. “It was extremely windy and very cold conditions, and along with a challenging course it made for a difficult day. I thought our 325 was a solid day.”

Junior Emmet Herb led Middleton with an 8-over-par 79. That was good was a fourth place finish individually.

Wed
22
Apr
MTT News's picture

Baseball Cards make their move

It took a tad longer than they would have liked.

But Middleton’s baseball team seems to be finding its groove.

After a rough start to the season, the Cardinals won two of three games last week — including an impressive 14-5 rout of three-time defending state champion Sun Prairie last Saturday.

Middleton is now 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the Big Eight Conference.

“We had a good week of baseball,” Middleton manager Tom Schmitt said. “That’s the first time we’ve won in Sun Prairie since they built their new stadium (in 2011).”

Middleton’s win over Sun Prairie was arguably its best victory in several seasons. Sun Prairie, ranked No. 4 in the state, was 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the Big Eight.

Middleton used a six-run third inning, though, to grab a big early lead and never looked back.

Wed
22
Apr
MTT News's picture

Softball Cards off to impressive start

VERONA — There were countless opportunities.

One chance after another to change the one-sided nature of this rivalry.

So when it was over, and host Verona had toppled Middleton, 5-1, in a girls softball game last Friday, Cardinals head coach Cherie Hellenbrand was understandably frustrated.

“They have a reputation as the team to beat and they’ve earned that,” Hellenbrand said of the Wildcats. “But we had chances to win this game. We just need more confidence.”

By winning this early Big Eight Conference showdown, the Wildcats improved to 5-0 in the league, 6-0 overall and moved into sole possession of first place in the league. Middleton fell to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in the league.

Wed
22
Apr
MTT News's picture

Soccer Cards enjoy big week

Mary Duffy is no different than the rest of the soccer world.

She’s a competitor, a fighter. And settling for a tie isn’t something Duffy is typically thrilled with.

But Duffy — Middleton’s girls soccer coach — was all right with a tie last Friday night.

Middleton traveled to Kettle Moraine, the No. 3 team in the state, and battled the Lasers to a 1-1 tie. Considering the Cardinals are a relatively inexperienced team working in several new pieces, Duffy left highly encouraged by the result.

“Of course, like every competitive player, I want to win,” Duffy said. “However, the results we wanted to see weren't just the ‘W.’ I wanted to see how the girls would stand up against a tough opponent.”

Middleton, which is now 3-0-1 on the young season, stood up extremely well.

Wed
22
Apr
MTT News's picture

Girls track team starts strong

The outdoor season has arrived for Middleton’s girls track and field team.

And the Cardinals seem ready for a memorable six-week run.

Middleton rolled at the Madison East Triangular last Tuesday. The Cardinals cruised past Verona, 92-54, and toppled the Purgolders, 115-31.

Middleton also won its own triangular last Thursday, besting Janesville Craig, 130-16, and topping Madison Memorial, 89-57.

“Overall, we are off to a great start to the outdoor season,” Middleton coach Tara Franklin said. “Our indoor meets were limited in entries, but they definitely got us heading in the right direction.”

Middleton had several terrific showings at the Madison East Triangular.

The 3,200-meter relay team of Victoria Trantow, Milena Martin, Katie Schmidt and Emma Larson was first (10:58). Lauren Smith won the 100-meter hurdles (16.8) and Sara Gaab was second (16.9).

Wed
22
Apr
MTT News's picture

Boys track team shines early

Middleton’s boys track and field team has been the gold standard inside the Big Eight Conference the last two years.

But the Cardinals discovered last Tuesday they’ll have to take things up a notch to stay atop the league.

At the Madison East Triangular last Tuesday, the Cardinals defeated the Purgolders, 115.5-30.5. But Middleton also fell to Verona, 81-65.

The Cardinals then rolled past Madison Memorial, 89-57, and Janesville Craig, 89.5-5, at the Middleton Triangular last Thursday.

“The dual meets don’t count towards the conference champion,” Middleton coach Isaac Mezera said. “All the glory goes to whoever wins the conference meet, so I'm confident we'll fare better against Verona when it counts. However, it seems that they might be our closest competition for the conference title this year.”

Middleton did have several outstanding performances at the two triangulars.

Tue
14
Apr
MTT News's picture

MHS golfers mining for gold

They were so close, they could smell the hardware.

A putt here. A chip there.

Had things gone just a tad differently last June, Middleton’s boys golf team could have captured a state title. Instead, the Cardinals’ sensational season ended with a fourth place finish at University Ridge.

But now, with Middleton’s new season here, hopes are high for even bigger and better.

Middleton returns three standouts from last year’s team and added a high-level transfer. And while the state tournament remains nearly two months away, the Cardinals seem to have all the ingredients to hoist a state title.

“I truly believe we have all the elements to make a deep run in the playoffs this year,” Middleton junior Joey Levin said. “But the key is to not put too much pressure on ourselves like we did last year.”

Junior Brady Thomas agreed.

Tue
14
Apr
MTT News's picture

Perfect ending for Wood, Herl

It’s the best of both worlds, really, for Mitchell Herl and Alex Wood.

Before the two Middleton High School seniors move onto the next stage of their lives, they get to turn back the clock. And they get to help others in the process.

Both Herl and Wood were selected to the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Star Game.

The game will be held July 18 at 6 p.m. at UW-Oshkosh’s Titan Stadium, and both Herl and Wood will play for the South Divisions Large Schools.

The WFCA All-Star Game benefits the patient care programs at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. And both Middleton players are excited to do their part and give back.

“The main motive for me, and all the other players participating in this game, is to help children who may never be able to play their favorite sport, those who deeply need the help,” Wood said.

Pages