September 2021

Fri
03
Sep
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Waunakee holds off Middleton

Middleton head football coach Jason Pertzborn and the Cardinals were disappointed in the final result of their much anticipated non-conference matchup with neighboring prep football powerhouse Waunakee last Friday night.

After roaring to an early 10-point lead, the Cardinals rallied from a 17-point second half deficit to come within a recovered onside kick of pulling out a potentially thrilling victory.

However, Waunakee held on to defeat Middleton 34-31 on a hot and steamy evening at Breitenbach Stadium.

Following back-to-back losses to Waunakee and Bay Port — two teams that lost in the 2019 state finals — Pertzborn firmly believes the Cardinals are ready to contend for a Big Eight Conference title and compete in postseason play.

Fri
03
Sep
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Girls spikers win Onalaska Invite

They say first impressions are often the most telling.

If that holds true for Middleton’s girls volleyball team, the Cardinals are poised for a memorable season.

Middleton began its season by winning the Onalaska Invite held Aug. 25-26. The Cardinals went 7-2 overall, which was good enough to win the title.

“I’m extremely proud of how the team performed in Onalaska,” Middleton coach Maddie Vogel said. “It was a very long couple of days to power through, so winning it definitely felt very rewarding.”

Jordan LaScala had a team-high 61 kills in the nine matches, while Tavya Johnson had 37, Sierra Pertzborn added 36 and Evin Jordee had 19.

Jordee had an impressive 135 assists, 34 digs and 14 aces. Amber Wahlgren had 18 aces and Pertzborn had 12 aces.

Eliana Ross led the way with 60 digs, while LaScala had 51 digs, Wahlgren added 37 digs and Karen Lu had 21 digs.

Fri
03
Sep
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Middleton golfers ranked No. 1

The first Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin polls are out.

And those voting in Division 1 didn't have to think very long about who to put at the top.

Middleton debuted at No. 1 in the poll following a torrid start to its season.

The Cardinals cruised to the championship at the 15-team Blackwolf Run Invitational on Aug. 25. Middleton shot a 320-team score to easily outdistance runner-up Kettle Moraine (339), while Bay Port (357), Brookfield Central (360) and Green Bay Notre Dame (364) rounded out the top five.

Middleton’s win on Blackwolf Run’s Meadow Valley Golf Course came on the heels of the Cardinals’ season-opening win at the star-studded Brookfield Central-Homestead Classic.

Fri
03
Sep
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Soccer Cards have high hopes

They’ve knocked on the door in recent years, but haven't been able to knock it down.

In the spring, Middleton’s boys soccer team took Waunakee to overtime before losing. The Warriors eventually reached the state tournament.

In 2019, Middleton gave Verona a battle in the sectional semifinals. The Wildcats prevailed that night, and eventually won a state title.

And in both 2018 (Sun Prairie) and 2017 (Madison West), Middleton lost in the postseason to a team that eventually went to the state tournament.

This fall, the Cardinals are hoping to end that streak and earn their first trip to state since 2016.

“We've already set our goals for the year and a state appearance is always one of our goals,” Middleton coach Kevin Pauls said. “We haven't been far off the past few years.

Fri
03
Sep
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Girls XC team thinking repeat

They spent the spring running past approximately one-fifth of the state.

Now, they want to show all of Wisconsin who’s boss.

Middleton’s girls cross country won the 2020 WIAA Division 1 alternate-fall state championship. That event was held in May for schools that opted not to compete in the fall of 2020 due to COVID restrictions and concerns.

Middleton won the spring title handily, but that came against just 18% of the state. Now, with the Cardinals once again facing a normal schedule, they can’t wait to take on any and all comers.

“The team is very excited for a normal season,” said Middleton coach Alexa Richardson, whose team begins their season Saturday at the Verona Invite. “We have been able to do all of the training they are used to in previous seasons and it’s like they didn’t even miss a beat. They are all ready to go!”

Fri
03
Sep
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Boys XC team hopes to surprise

Middleton’s boys cross country program has been arguably the finest in the state for the better part of a decade now

The Cardinals have been to state eight consecutive years, winning WIAA Division 1 state titles in 2017 and 2019. Middleton also has six consecutive top-four finishes at state, including a fourth-place finish in the alternate-fall season that concluded in May.

When the Cardinals begin their season on Saturday at the Verona Invite, coach Brian Finnel — the architect of the program who’s now in his ninth season — believes this year’s Middleton team will be overlooked and disregarded.

“This group really wants to prove that they belong up in the top tier for state rankings and I don't think early season rankings will reflect that,” Finnel said.

So the Cardinals have one major goal.

Prove people wrong.

Fri
03
Sep
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Boys spikers start strong

Middleton’s boys volleyball team opened the season by winning two of three matches at the Burlington Quadrangular on Aug. 26.

Muskego edged the Cardinals, 23-25, 25-18, 15-11. Middleton then rebounded with a 25-17, 19-25, 15-8 win over Burlington. The Cardinals then finished their night with a 25-20, 25-19 win over Sussex Hamilton.

“Overall it was a good night,” Middleton coach Rob Kleinschmidt said. “Everyone played at some point throughout the night, so it was a great chance to see everyone in live play situations.” 

Cole Sweitzer led the Cardinals with 23 kills on the night, while Ben Heise added 13. Brady Stuttgen had 27 assists, while Alexander Heuer added eight.

Kaden Fosdick had four aces and three blocks, John Kruchten had five blocks, and both Ambrose Engling and Nick Ulfig had three blocks.

Fri
03
Sep
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Middleton swimmers rout Beloit

Middleton’s swimmers also defeated Beloit Memorial, 140-30, last Friday.

The Cardinals got wins from the following events:

• 200-yard medley relay — Lily Mair, Natalie Charles, Eva Anagnostopoulos, Ryanne Woodall.

• 200-yard freestyle — Ella Needham.

• 200-yard IM — Isabell Frommelt.

• 50-yard freestyle — Lily Mair

• 100-yard butterfly — Emma Chandler

• 100-yard freestyle — Abby Ensenberger

• 500-yard freestyle — Molly Haag

• 200-yard freestyle relay — Abby Ensenberger, Ella Needham, Eva Anagnostopoulos, Ryanne Woodall.

• 100-yard baskstroke — Tait Haag.

• 100-yard breaststroke — Sophia Walker.

• 400-yard freestyle relay — Molly Haag, Sophie Benson, Ella Needham, Audrey Alexander.

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