May 2024

PRAIRIE DU SAC — Maxwell Hunter’s expectations in the boys 300-meter hurdles at the WIAA Division 1 Sauk Prairie track and field sectional on May 23 were understandably modest.

The Middleton junior was seeded sixth, and only the top three finishers qualify for the state meet.

Did he think when the event finished he’d be one of those three?

“I didn’t think so,” he admitted after, yes, you guessed it, pulling off the upset by finishing in second in 39.51 seconds. “I was just going as hard as I could. I didn’t expect that to happen.”

Two big reasons why Hunter shined is that he was talented enough to better his seed time of :41.10 and that he had the right attitude going in.

“I just kind of figured I didn’t have anything to lose, so I just ran as hard as I could,” he said.

In essence, he put no pressure on himself and simply trusted his ability.

They’ve gotten a taste of the good life.

Now, Middleton’s girls softball team wants the full meal — not just the appetizers.

The Cardinals won a WIAA Division 1 regional title on May 23 after downing visiting La Crosse Central, 5-0. Middleton, the No. 3 seed in the sectional, improved to 17-9 overall and advanced to a sectional semifinal at second-seeded Tomah (20-4) on Tuesday.

If the Cardinals defeated Tomah, they’d face either top-seeded Sun Prairie East or fourth-seeded Verona in a sectional final Thursday at 5 p.m. at Firefighters Park.

“Winning the region was exciting, but this team is hungry for more,” Middleton manager Brittany Carl said. “I'm so excited to see what we can do in the sectional round.”

What the Cardinals achieved during regional play was certainly exciting.

Two days after Megan Button blanked Madison West, 4-0, in the regional semifinals, Middleton’s junior ace came back and shutout Central, as well.

Ethan Bo knocked on the door of a WIAA Division 1 individual state championship last year.

His brother, Alexander, also won a pair of matches at state last season.

The Bo brothers will aim for bigger and better at this year’s state tournament, which will be held Thursday through Saturday at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium on the University of Wisconsin campus.

Ethan Bo won his flight at No. 1 singles during the Madison Memorial Sectional on May 22 and is now the No. 3-seed at state. Ethan Bo (20-3), who was third individually at last year’s state meet, has a first round bye at this year’s state meet, then has his first match Thursday at approximately 4:15 p.m.

Alexander Bo won his sectional flight at No. 2 singles and is the No. 4-seed at state. Alexander Bo (25-3) won two matches at individual state last year and also has a first round bye this year. Alexander Bo will play his match Thursday at approximately 3:45 p.m.

Emily Duffy with last week’s storm damage at her home located at 1740 Park Street. Her family, which includes two Pre-K children, were escorted out of their back door by City of Middleton firefighters after tree branches broke an incoming “fireline” electrical wire. The family spent the night in a hotel.  Madison Gas & Electric deactivated the line Friday morning. Photo by Mary Langenfeld.