Sports

Sun
22
Oct
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Middleton holds off Memorial

Gabe Passini picked the perfect time to call his own number.

With his team clinging to a 21-20 lead late in the fourth quarter last Friday, Middleton’s senior quarterback faked a handoff then scampered down the sideline 60 yards on a keeper deep into Madison Memorial territory.

Passini’s run eventually led to a touchdown and helped the Cardinals clinch a 28-20 triumph over the visiting Spartans in a WIAA Division 1 first round playoff game at Breitenbach Stadium.

“They were expecting us to want to run out the clock with the running back,” Passini said. “Usually when my key goes in at the running back I can have my freedom to pull it. I just felt my opening, felt my time was there from what we practiced and tried to turn on my jets the best I could, but my tall lengthy self can’t beat those little fast guys.”

Middleton co-interim coach Tim Simon actually missed the play, but heard the reaction from the sideline.

Wed
18
Oct
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MHS' dynamic duo enjoys magical ride

Even now, with a state runner-up finish secure, Keena Cheng couldn't believe what had just happened.

Cheng, a senior at Middleton High School, and fellow MHS senior Ashley Andler went to the WIAA Division 1 state doubles tournament last weekend with high hopes. The Cardinals’ dynamic duo then blew those expectations out of the water.

Andler and Cheng entered the tournament held at Nielsen Tennis Stadium as the No. 7 seed. Middleton’s sensational pair then produced the surprise showing of the tournament, reaching the state finals before losing to Molly Jex and Lizzie Stuckslager — the defending champions from Divine Savior Holy Angels.

“Honestly, I expected to lose somewhere in the fourth round or semifinals, much less make it to the finals,” Cheng said. “I am still somewhat surprised about reaching the title match, but given the hard work we have put in the past four years, it has paid off in getting us this far.”

Wed
18
Oct
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Cardinals are singing in the rain

MADISON – Leave it to Middleton senior quarterback Gabe Passini to put a positive spin on what was a miserable night it was for high school football on Oct. 12.

Despite temperatures hovering in the upper 40s and steady rain and high winds pelting the players on the field and fans in the stands, Passini said it was a memorable regular-season finale against host Madison East.

“The weather was the biggest factor,” Passini said. “That really gets us ready for what’s to come because it’s October and November, getting into those months (in the playoffs) where you never know what’s going to happen. So it’s good to have this week nine which will help us prepare for that.”

Passini passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more scores as the Cardinals cruised to a 49-6 victory over East in their Big Eight Conference finale at Lussier Stadium.

Wed
18
Oct
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Soccer Cards win Big Eight title

There are more boxes to be checked off.

More goals to attain.

But the first target that Middleton’s boys soccer team hit was an awfully sweet one.

The Cardinals routed host Janesville Parker, 16-0, on Oct. 10 to claim their second straight Big Eight Conference title. Middleton had gone 10 straight years without winning a league championship, but has now won back-to-back crowns.

The Cardinals went 8-1 in the conference — one game ahead of both Verona and Sun Prairie West (7-2) — and finished the regular season 13-4-1.

“Before winning the title last year we were surprised it had been 10 years since our last title, so we know it's pretty special to go back to back,” Middleton coach Kevin Pauls said. “We talked about that as a goal all season and talked how every Big Eight game is a title game.

Wed
18
Oct
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MHS swimmers win Big 8 crown

They are the champions — again.

Middleton’s sensational girls swimming team locked up another Big Eight Conference title last week.

The Cardinals cruised past Janesville Parker, 139-30, on Oct. 12 and won their third consecutive conference title. Middleton, which has also won 12 of the last 13 league titles, finished 9-0 in conference dual meets.

“We had another solid meet vs. Parker,” Middleton coach R.J Leiferman said. “We are really happy to end the season with a perfect record in dual meets. Our conference has some really strong teams, so to be able to go undefeated again this year is something we are very proud of, and gives us a lot of confidence going forward.”

Middleton’s quartet of Lily Mair, Hannah Machleidt, Piper Garcia Hall and Audrey Alexander won the 200-yard medley relay, while the foursome of Sulia Miller, Isabell Frommelt, Tait Haag and Rian Jost was second.

Wed
18
Oct
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Boys spikers win Big 8 tournament

The postseason is here.

And Middleton’s boys volleyball team is headed to the playoffs with a full head of steam.

The Cardinals won the Big Eight Conference tournament last Friday, defeating Madison Memorial in the championship match. Middleton hasn't lost since Sept. 23, has won 10 matches in a row, and carries a 27-3 record into the postseason.

“I've felt good about our growth in the past couple weeks,” Middleton coach Dylan Griffith said. “We've made some good strides and the guys are still looking for ways to improve our game.”

Middleton played awfully well last week, highlighted by its win at the conference tournament.

The Cardinals defeated host Waukesha West, 25-19, 25-20, 22-25, 25-16 on Oct. 9. Middleton then downed Fort Atkinson, 25-11, 25-18, 25-20 on Oct. 10.

The Cardinals then rolled at the conference tournament, as well.

Wed
18
Oct
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Girls spikers seeded 6th in postseason

There’s a cautious optimism.

A quiet confidence.

Middleton’s girls volleyball team headed to the postseason this week believing it could be a surprise team.

The Cardinals are the No. 6 seed in their sectional and host 11th-seeded Tomah in a WIAA Division 1 regional semifinal Thursday at 7 p.m. Middleton defeated Tomah, 25-18, 25-20, earlier this year at the Cardinal Invite.

If the Cardinals win, they will face either third-seeded Verona or 14th-seeded Madison La Follette Saturday in a regional final.

“We will have to continue to serve and pass well in order to give us a shot to win,” Middleton coach Ben White said. “If we are fortunate enough to win, we most likely will head to Verona for the regional finals. Verona is about as solid of team as we have seen — well coached, disciplined and talented.”

Wed
18
Oct
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MHS’ boys XC team 2nd at Big 8 meet

The weather was miserable.

The performances were downright sunny.

Middleton’s boys cross country team finished second at the Big Eight Conference meet held in Verona last Saturday

Madison West won the boys’ race with 54 points, while the Cardinals were second with 83. Verona (92), Madison La Follette (110) and Sun Prairie East (110) rounded out the top five at the 10-team meet.
“That was a fun, exciting race,” Middleton coach Brian Finnel said. “The group raced well and handled crazy weather conditions just fine. Standing water, blowing winds, and the group was pretty calm. We hit our goal to finish second, which we were all pretty proud of!”

Middleton senior Will Whiteis was third individually, finishing the 5,000-meter course in 16 minutes, 48.0 seconds. Whiteis has battled back and knee injuries this season, but was close to 100% and ran a terrific race.

Sun
15
Oct
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Football Cards land No. 3 seed

When discussing the upcoming postseason, Sam Pilof doesn’t mince words.

He doesn’t beat around the bush.

Instead, Middleton’s senior linebacker is direct and to the point.

“We’re all super excited for the playoffs,” said Pilof, a Rutgers recruit. “It’s the start of a new season. It’s been our goal since the beginning. We know we can do it. We know we’ve got the right group of guys and the right coaching staff. Our plan is to go all the way.”

That journey begins Friday at 7 p.m. when Middleton hosts Madison Memorial in a WIAA Division 1 first round game.

The Cardinals finished the regular season 8-1 overall, 6-1 in the Big Eight Conference and are the No. 3 seed in their bracket. The Spartans (6-3, 5-2) are the No. 6 seed.

Sussex Hamilton (9-0) is the No. 1 seed in the Cardinals’ bracket, followed by Verona (8-1), Middleton, Mukwonago (7-2), Hartland Arrowhead (6-3), Madison Memorial, Janesville Parker (6-3) and Sun Prairie West (5-4).

Thu
12
Oct
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Middleton golfers rally for third

“Great moments are born from great opportunity. And that’s what you have here tonight, boys. That’s what you’ve earned here tonight. One game. If we played ‘em 10 times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can! Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world.”

 

VERONA — That epic speech came from the movie ‘Miracle’, where Kurt Russell played the role of USA hockey coach Herb Brooks in the 1980 Olympics.

As Middleton’s girls golf team jumped into the team Suburban Tuesday morning, Cardinals coach Becky Halverson called up that speech. And Halverson’s team hung on each and every one of Russell’s words.

“The message was we’re here to prove something,” Middleton senior Vivian Cressman said. (Monday) was not us and I think hearing that speech really helped.”

Boy, did it ever.

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