Sports

Middleton’s girls softball team enjoyed a sensational season.

There was a Big Eight Conference championship. A regional title. And a 17-5 overall record.

So it was no surprise that the Cardinals did extremely well when it came to all-conference voting, landing nine players on the all-Big Eight team.

Sophomore center fielder Rachel Everson was named first-team all-league, while freshman pitcher Lauren Banke, freshman left fielder Jessica Parente and junior first baseman Shelby Ballweg were second-team all-conference choices.

Senior shortstop Katie Fermanich, senior catcher Amber Karn, senior right fielder Abby Henke, senior second baseman Morgan Schmitt and sophomore pitcher Makenzie Kopp were all named honorable-mention all-conference, as well.

Everson had a memorable spring.

Middleton’s boys lacrosse team had to overcome two obstacles last Saturday night — powerhouse Hartland Arrowhead and bad weather. But the Cardinals persevered and came away with an impressive 10-8 victory to win the state championship in a game held at Beloit College.

It was the second state title in school history. Middleton also captured the crown in 2003, but the pool of teams was much smaller then.

Middleton’s senior-led team played what coach Matt Bock stated was perhaps their best first half of the season. Middleton started fast and built a 6-1 lead.

“The team had a great mindset coming into the game, were prepped well, and that was reflected in our quick start,” Bock said. “They knew this was a chance to make history for Middleton and clearly embraced it.”

When perennial power Milwaukee Marquette advanced through the draw, Middleton’s boys tennis team knew it had its work cut out if it was to claim its first state team title.

The Hilltoppers boasted far and away the state’s top doubles lineup along with a deep and talented roster.

In the end, the matchup proved too much to overcome as the Cardinals were swept in the doubles matches and went on to drop a 5-2 decision to the Hilltoppers in the WIAA Division 1 championship match at Nielsen Tennis Stadium Saturday.

“When we went through our semifinal we were hoping for Brookfield East because we matched up a little better with them,” said Middleton junior Brian Bellissimo. “We saw Marquette and we were going to give all we could, but they just played better than we did today. Their doubles are just crazy deep from every position.”

The 90-minute sectional final was largely filled with frustration and disappointment.

The other two months of their 2015 campaign was a downright joyride.

Middleton’s girls soccer team fell one step short of the state tournament, dropping a 4-1 decision to visiting Kettle Moraine in a WIAA Division 1 sectional final Saturday.

But the Cardinals certainly didn’t leave Firefighter’s Park with their heads hung low. Instead, Middleton left filled with pride about a year that was packed with success and surprises.

“Our expectation is always state and I thought this could be our year,” Middleton senior midfielder Megan Sullivan said. “But this was a great season for us. I don’t think there were many people that thought we’d do as good as we did.”

That’s for sure.

The Cardinals graduated 10 seniors from their 2014 team, but never missed a beat.

Verona — The disappointment should increase their drive.

The frustration figures to be an enormous motivator.

Middleton’s boys golf team will now try turning a negative into a positive.

The Cardinals finished in fifth place at the WIAA Division 1 state tournament held at University Ridge Monday and Tuesday. Middleton, which finished in fourth place a year ago, had much greater aspirations in 2015.

Instead, the Cardinals couldn’t find a branch of consistency to grab onto.

“It’s definitely disappointing,” said Cardinals junior Brady Thomas. “We had very high hopes, just like last year. But we just kind of laid a dud.”

Hartland Arrowhead won its sixth state team title in nine years, posting a 623. Green Bay Notre Dame was a close second at 624, while Bay Port (637), Badger (641) and Middleton (642) rounded out the top five.

When it was over, they were completely exhausted.

The blazing sun, the terrific opponent and the pressure of their season coming to an end had left Middleton’s girls soccer team dog-tired. But the Cardinals were also extremely happy.

Middleton edged Verona, 3-2, in double overtime in a thrilling WIAA Division 1 regional final last Saturday. The top-seeded Cardinals advanced to a sectional final Thursday at 7 p.m., where they’ll host third-seeded Madison West at Firefighter’s Park.

“At the end of the game, I told the girls that it took every ounce of every person today to achieve that win and send our seniors to a happy graduation ceremony on Sunday,” Middleton coach Mary Duffy said. 

The teams were tied, 2-2, headed to overtime.

It took great will power and resolve.

But Tara Franklin refused to crunch the numbers and try guessing where her Middleton’s girls track and field team might finish at the WIAA Division 1 state meet last weekend.

“I just didn’t want to get caught up in all the numbers,” Franklin said. “I wanted to enjoy the moment.”

Finally, with three events left, Franklin relented.

Franklin knew it had been a brilliant two days for her Cardinals. But even she was surprised to discover Middleton was on the brink of a remarkable second place finish.

When Middleton’s 1,600-meter relay team then finished third, the Cardinals had achieved greatness — and locked up a second place finish.

Whitefish Bay won the title with 48 points, while Middleton was second with 39 points. Kenosha Bradford and Monona Grove tied for third with 36 points, while Waukesha West was fifth (31).

The concept seems somewhat odd.

But when examined closer, it’s completely understandable.

Middleton’s boys track and field team finished fourth at the WIAA Division 1 state track and field meet held at UW-La Crosse last weekend. That finish is believed to be the best in school history.

Afterwards, though, the Cardinals were somewhat disappointed.

Why? Simple. These Cardinals fully believed an even higher finish was possible.

Bay Port won the title with 67 points, while Wisconsin Lutheran was second at 48. Madison West (36), Middleton (26) and Pewaukee (23) rounded out the top five.

“It was interesting to finish so well historically and feel so let down,” Middleton coach Isaac Mezera said. “We were chosen by many to finish in second or third place. Some even went so far to predict us winning the meet. 

Verona — Middleton’s boys golf team experienced a case of déjà vu at University Ridge on Monday.

And it was the kind of experience the Cardinals could have lived without.

Middleton shot an opening round 320 at the WIAA Division 1 state tournament and sits in third place overall, 14 shots behind first-place Arrowhead.

One year ago, the Cardinals shot a first round 321 and were 13 shots off the lead. Middleton rallied on the second day, tied for the tournament’s lowest score, but finished in fourth place.

Now, Middleton — which had title aspirations when this tournament began — hopes its first-day struggles won’t doom its championship dreams.

“Well, we dug a hole and we’ve got to dig ourselves out,” Cardinals coach Tom Cabalka said. “But the good thing is we know we can do it.

“These kids all know they have a lot better game than they showed today. We just have to come out and play a lot better tomorrow.”

Middleton’s boys tennis program has a long and storied tradition of excellence.

The Cardinals send multiple players to the individual state tournament most years. Middleton has been to the state team tournament nine times since 2000.

But one thing the Cardinals have never produced was an individual state champion.

Until Saturday, that is.

Cardinals sophomore Jake Van Emburgh made history by rolling past Brookfield East’s David Horneffer, 7-5, 6-1, to claim the WIAA Division 1 state champion.

Van Emburgh became the first player in school history to win a state title. And with his family set to move to Florida in July, it was a memorable ending for Van Emburgh.

“I’m glad I could end like that,” Van Emburgh said. “It’s kind of bittersweet, but it’s something I definitely wanted to accomplish.”

Van Emburgh accomplished it with surprising ease.