August 2024

The way Dylan Griffith sees it, Middleton’s boys volleyball team isn’t trying to defend a title.

Instead, this is an entirely new group, one trying to carve its own path and write its own story.

If that leads to a second straight state WIAA Division 1 state title for Middleton, even better.

“Our group last season was unbelievably fun to coach and work with, but that was their story,” said Griffith, who led the Cardinals to a state title in his first season as head coach. “Our focus will be on the season ahead and for the guys on this squad to write their own story.

“Is (a state title) always a goal? Certainly. Winning a state championship isn't something that is given to you, so I know the guys are eager to earn the right to get the opportunity to try again.”

Middleton’s run to the first state title in school history was certainly magical. And Griffith admits it’s given the program even more juice than usual this offseason.

It was only May, three months before the cross country season was set to begin.

And Middleton co-coaches Kelly Julian and Lauren Dilley gathered their team to outline expectations.

The Cardinals had their streak of four straight trips to the state meet snapped last season. And Julian and Dilley wanted to be sure their group understood what it will take to make a return trip to state this fall.

“We laid out our expectations if they wanted to get to state this year,” Julian said. “We were really honest with them about the times they would need to achieve and the consistency they would need to commit to in order to achieve that goal.”

It appears they were listening. Closely.

Middleton’s girls had a terrific summer and now return a gifted group that’s added some talented newcomers. So when the Cardinals begin their new season Thursday at Arrowhead, they’re optimistic they can have a big year and make a run at returning to state.

MENOMONEE FALLS — Middleton’s girls golf team has been grinding, with four 18-hole events in five days.

And for the most part, the Cardinals have shined.

Middleton finished in second place at the two-day, 36-hole Brookfield Central/Menomonee Falls Invite on Aug. 19-20 — a tournament most consider much better than the state meet.

Defending WIAA Division 1 state champion Divine Savior Holy Angels won the 27-team invite with a 621, while the Cardinals were second with a 650. Brookfield East (663), Arrowhead (673) and Oregon (687) rounded out the top five.

Middleton senior Emily Utter and junior Annika Jafferis both tied for 12^th place individually with a two-day score of 162.

Utter shot an opening round 85 at the incredibly demanding Wisconsin Country Club, then followed that with an impressive 77 at Wanaki Golf Course.

Look out world.

Middleton’s girls swimming and diving team — which won the WIAA Division 1 state title a year ago — could be even deeper and better this fall.

The Cardinals showed just that when they rolled past Madison Memorial, 132-38, in their season opener last Friday.

“We had a solid first meet vs. Memorial,” Middleton coach R.J. Leiferman said. “It was fun to start competing again. It was also great to see our freshmen race for the first time.”

Middleton won all 11 events and captured the top-two spots in nine of the 11 races.

The Cardinals’ 200-yard medley relay team of Tae Martin, Rian Jost, Brynn Sundell and Clara Kiehl was first. Middleton’s foursome of Isabell Frommelt, Helen Machleidt, Abigail Frommelt and Anna Dart was second and the quartet of Poppy Wedding, Hannah Machleidt, Addie Dorn and Addy Palmer was third.