Sports

Middleton’s boys tennis team is extremely talented, battle-tested and in the midst of a terrific season.

Now, the Cardinals are hoping to put it all together this week.

Middleton was scheduled to compete at the WIAA Division 1 Madison Memorial Sectional Wednesday. The top individuals advance to the state tournament May 31-June 2, while the first place team earns a spot at the state team tournament June 8-9.

“In order to win sectionals and advance to team state, we are all going to need to pull together,” Middleton coach Kalla Schaefer said. “Our subsectional is one of the strongest in the state, so players will have to get off to a quick start and play well right off the bat.”

Verona, which won the Big Eight Conference dual meet title and also captured the conference meet last week, is the slight favorite. But Middleton, Madison Memorial and Madison West are all expected to be in the hunt for the team title.

The road won’t be easy.

Far from.

But Middleton’s girls’ softball team is hoping to string together a number of surprises this postseason.

The Cardinals received the No. 8 seed in their sectional and host ninth-seeded Madison Memorial in a WIAA Division 1 regional semifinal Wednesday at 5 p.m. If Middleton advances, it would travel to Sun Prairie for a regional final Friday at 5 p.m.

The sectional semifinals are May 29 and the sectional finals are May 31.

Memorial went 10-11 overall and finished sixth in the Big Eight Conference at 9-9. Middleton (8-13, 8-10) settled for seventh in the league.

The teams also split a doubleheader on April 24, with the Spartans winning the first game, 12-2, and Middleton capturing the second game, 7-5.

Middleton’s boys track and field team won the Sun Prairie Regional Monday night. The Cardinals totaled 156 points and led Sun Prairie (124).

Sun Prairie’s girls sat in first place (197), while Madison Memorial (157), Waunakee (113.50) and Middleton (96) rounded out the top four.

The top four finishers at regionals advanced to the Middleton Sectional Thursday. The top three sectional place-winners advance to the WIAA State Meet at Veterans’ Memorial Stadium in La Crosse on June 1-2.

Middleton senior Sam Jaeger won the 1,600-meter run (4:27.59), while sophomore Zach Lefell was second (4:30.17) and junior Caleb Easton was third (4:31.13).

Easton won the 3,200-meter run (9:32.41), while senior Jack Rader was second (9:32.41) and Jaeger was fourth (9:32.82). The Cardinals’ 3,200 meter-relay team was also first.

Middleton senior Aaron Richardson was second in the 200-meter dash (23.25) and third in the 100-meter dash (11.16).

Junior Caleb Easton said the mantra all season long for the Middleton boys’ track and field team was “six-peat, six-peat”.

Following a dominating performance at Lussier Stadium on Monday night, the Cardinals’ championship streak remained intact.

Middleton’s boys won their sixth consecutive Big Eight Conference championship and third straight under coach Joe Line. Middleton was first with 150.67 points. Sun Prairie was second with 111 and Verona placed third (83.33).

The meet was moved to Monday after it was postponed on May 11 due to rain and cold weather. But it was well worth the wait for the Cardinals, who won six individual titles, including three by senior Aaron Richardson.

“He turned literally into a machine tonight,” Line said of Richardson, who set a personal-best time in winning the 100-meter dash in 10.88 seconds. He also won the 200 (:22.41) and the long jump (21-8 ½) crowns.

Middleton softball coach Perry Hibner and assistant Amy Siedschlag were scheduled to attend the WIAA Division 1 seeding meeting in Baraboo Wednesday night. And Hibner expected his team to be seeded anywhere from No. 7-12.

“I think we’re a pretty dangerous seed no matter where we get placed,” Hibner said. “We’re healthy and playing better. I can’t wait for the postseason.”

Yes, Hibner is full of optimism.

But if the Cardinals’ postseason is going to last very long, they’ll have to play much better than they have during the regular season.

Middleton dropped two of three games last week and fell to 6-11 overall and 6-8 in the Big Eight Conference.

Verona swept the Cardinals by scores of 7-3 and 6-0 last Tuesday. Middleton then bounced back and toppled Janesville Parker, 9-0, last Thursday.

Mary Duffy fully understands that polls don’t guarantee anything.

That they’re nothing more than opinions and fodder for family and friends to discuss.

Still, Duffy — Middleton’s girls’ soccer coach — and her Cardinals were excited, humbled and a little bit apprehensive after claiming the No. 1 spot in the latest Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association poll.

Middleton was the top ranked team in Division 1, followed by Bay Port, Eau Claire Memorial, Hartland Arrowhead and Kimberly.

“That is great and we feel honored,” Duffy said of the No. 1 ranking. “But I also feel like it is a double-edged sword. While it does speak to the talent we have, we still need to perform to go to state. Happy to see recognition, but it also means we need to focus and work even harder now.

It’s a tradition that stems back decades.

Any time Middleton’s boys golf team wins a major invitational, the Big Eight Conference, or a postseason event, the Cardinals stop at a certain gas station. Middleton’s boys are then treated to Slushie’s for their accomplishments.

Last Wednesday, the Cardinals once again ended up with Slushie’s in their hands. And this one was extremely sweet.

Middleton shot a season-low 296 and edged Verona (302) to win the Madison East Triangular held at Yahara Hills. Both the Cardinals and Wildcats entered the meet unbeaten in the Big Eight dual meet season, and the win gave Middleton the regular season title.

“The kids have always had the same goals and No. 1 is to always win conference,” Middleton coach Tom Cabalka said. “After that, we focus on making it to state.

“But this group is gaining more confidence and believes anything is within reach. They just need to keep working hard and practicing with a purpose.”

The story of Middleton’s baseball team against Janesville Craig had a familiar plot line in both games this season: give senior pitcher Brady Schmitt the ball.

Watch Schmitt mow down hitters. Hand the ball off to a relief pitcher to finish the game. Win by one run.

Lather, rinse and repeat.  

Schmitt went six strong innings again Monday night, Matt Ballweg stepped up huge in relief, and host Middleton defeated third-ranked Janesville Craig, 2-1. The Cardinals survived a tense seventh inning and completed a season sweep of the Cougars.

The Cardinals improved to 14-5 overall and moved into sole possession of first place in the Big Eight Conference at 11-3. Middleton leads second place Sun Prairie (10-3, 16-3) by ½ game in the league and is one game ahead of third place Janesville Craig (16-3, 9-3 Big Eight).

Middleton baseball standout Alan Roden sat with Cardinals’ skipper Tom Schmitt at the start of the year.

Schmitt asked his catcher-turned-shortstop what he wanted to accomplish in 2018, and Roden’s answer was precise.

“I said No. 1, I want to win a state championship,” Roden said. “And 1A is to win the Big Eight.”

We’ll learn more about the Middleton’s chances at a state title next month. For now, though, Roden and the Cardinals are set up perfectly for a Big Eight Conference title run.

Middleton won three of four conference games last week and moved into a tie for first place. The Cardinals are 11-5 overall, 8-3 in the league and tied for the conference lead with both Janesville Craig (7-2, 13-2) and Sun Prairie (8-3, 11-3).

Hole by hole, round by round, their confidence grows.

The results — reflective of a team that truly believes — have been stunning. And one has to wonder just where the ceiling might be for Middleton’s boys’ golf team.

The Cardinals — a group consisting of one senior, three sophomores and a freshman — continue to put up eye-popping numbers. The highlight came last Saturday, when Middleton shot a season-low 304 and tied for second at the star-studded, 36-team MACC Fund Invitational held at Tuckaway Country Club in Franklin.

Middleton also finished second at the 12-team Onalaska Invite last Friday. In addition, the Cardinals — who played without two of their top five golfers — placed eighth among 20 teams at the WPGA Legends Invite at Bristlecone Pines in Hartland.

“They’re sure starting to come around,” Middleton coach Tom Cabalka said of his team. “Their scores are getting better and better and it’s been a lot of fun to see the growth.”