February 2022

MIDDLETON–While the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) is proud of its high school’s athletic playing fields, it acknowledged that facilities for athletes and fans have fallen behind other schools in the Big 8 Conference.

That prompted a group Middleton High School (MHS) alumni to present an $8-$13 million plan to construct new locker rooms, concessions, ticket office, and most important, ADA compliant restrooms at a special meeting held Monday night.

Verona and Sun Prairie have new athletic facilities and a recent referendum in the Madison Metropolitan School District means upgrades to its high school facilities, Tim Cleary, of Ideal Builders, told the Board of Education at special meeting.

However, the condition of MHS’ facilities communicates a message to the students and the community that doesn’t reflect the on-field success of its athletic teams, said Mike Borden, who has the title of prime investor on the 12-member planning team. 

The final 21 seconds of last Saturday’s boys basketball game between Middleton and Madison Memorial were a microcosm of what unfolded the previous 90 minutes.

Thanks to a furious rally, the Cardinals grabbed a 57-56 lead over the visiting Spartans with 55 seconds to play. On Memorial’s ensuing possession, sophomore forward Sam Mickelson appeared to travel, then drew a highly questionable foul call against Middleton’s Mike Roach with 20.7 seconds left.

Mickelson drained both free throws to give the Spartans a one-point lead.

After a timeout, Middleton junior standout Gavyn Hurley drove into the lane and appeared to draw contact from Mickelson as he let a 10-footer fly with 4 seconds left. The officials swallowed their whistles and the ball spun out.

Memorial added a free throw with 0.8 seconds left and escaped with 59-57 win. Afterwards, much of the discussion centered on the officiating crew of John Furrer, Gregg Dati and Mark Sorensen.

Middleton’s wrestlers finished 10^th at the 19-team Deerfield Scramble last Saturday.

Random Lake won the tournament with 700 points, while the Cardinals finished with 333 points.

Middleton’s Jonah Dennis won the championship at 113 pounds, while both Seth Howald (126) and Bryce Falk (170) were fourth.

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ day:

113 — Jonah Dennis (15-1) placed 1st and scored 73.0 team points.

Middleton’s boys swimming and diving team finished in second place at its own invitational last Saturday.

Madison West won the eight-team meet with 473 points, while the Cardinals were second with 339.5 points. Madison Memorial was third (287), while Sun Prairie (284) and Verona-Mount Horeb (275) rounded out the top five.

Middleton’s 200-yard freestyle relay team of Blaise Lin, Cowan Vitense, Jack Madoch and Nick Chirafisi finished first. The Cardinals’ 400-yard freestyle relay team of Venden Berge, Vitense, Madoch and Chirafisi was also first

And Middleton’s 200-yard medley relay team of Theo Wolf, Noah Dorn, Berge and Blaise Lin was sixth.

Individually, Chirafisi won the 200-yard freestyle, Berge was second and Dorn was 10^th. Chirafisi also won the 500-yard freestyle, while Berge was second and Jackson Esteves was ninth.

Madoch won the 50-yard freestyle, while Lin was eighth. Madoch was also second in the 100-yard freestyle.