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November 2024

Tue
05
Nov
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MHS spikers heading back to state

Submitted by MTT News on Tue, 11/05/2024 - 12:50

MADISON — Tradition never graduates, or so the saying goes for programs with a history as rich as Middleton boys volleyball.

But 11 seniors did graduate off of last year’s team that punched the Cardinals’ 14th ticket to the state tournament en route to their first-ever championship.

And with only one returning starter — junior Caden Van Buren — a return trip to the Resch Center in Green Bay for a chance to defend that title seemed like perhaps a longshot.

Maybe so. But no one told that to the Cardinals.

Middleton gelled quickly and put together another memorable campaign, one that will continue this weekend following its 25-21, 25-13, 25-21 victory over third-seeded Madison West in Saturday night’s WIAA sectional championship match at Madison Memorial High School.

Tue
05
Nov
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Soccer Cards return to state

Submitted by MTT News on Tue, 11/05/2024 - 12:46

MADISON — The pressure was on Liev Schiffman.

Middleton’s senior keeper didn't flinch.

With a return trip to the WIAA Division 1 boys state soccer state tournament on the line, Schiffman came up large.

Schiffman saved three of four shots in a penalty kick shootout as top-seeded Middleton edged Big Eight Conference rival and second-seeded Madison West, 3-1, on penalty kicks in a sectional final at Lussier Stadium last Saturday.

Middleton, the defending state champions, now takes aims at the third state title in program history.

“They’ve been workmanlike. We’ve been talking about taking care of business,” said Middleton coach Kevin Pauls, whose team is making the 15th state tournament appearance in school history. “Hey, last year was no fluke. We’re going to go back and try to do the same thing.”

Tue
05
Nov
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Girls spikers upset in sectional semis

Submitted by MTT News on Tue, 11/05/2024 - 12:44

It wasn’t supposed to end this way.

Middleton’s girls volleyball team was the No. 1 seed in their sectional. The Cardinals, won the Big Eight Conference championship, had rolled past Verona earlier this season and had the state tournament in their sights.

But the best laid plans often go awry and that was the case during the WIAA Division 1 sectional semifinals held in DeForest on Oct. 31.

Verona played one of its finest matches of the season, Middleton was far from its best and the Wildcats ended the Cardinals’ season with a 25-16, 25-12, 26-24 victory. Top-seeded Middleton ended its year 28-7, while the fourth-seeded Wildcats lost in the sectional finals to sixth-seeded Holmen two nights later.

Tue
05
Nov
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Waunakee ends Middleton's season

Submitted by MTT News on Tue, 11/05/2024 - 12:40

WAUNAKEE — To the untrained eye, the football season begins the first week of August and typically runs into November.

Truth is, there are many months of preparation before games are ever played.

There are countless hours in the weight room. There’s contact days, 7-on-7 leagues and a bevy of camps.

And through it all, lifetime bonds are formed.

So when a season officially ends, teams aren't just closing the book on a three-month journey. They’re finishing what’s often an 11-month ride.

That’s why last Friday was so difficult for Middleton.

Waunakee stymied the Cardinals, 17-0, in a WIAA Division 1 Level 2 playoff game and put an end to Middleton’s season.

The fourth-seeded Cardinals finished the year 7-4, while the top-seeded Warriors improved to 10-1 and now host seventh-seeded D.C. Everest in Level 3 this Friday.

Tue
05
Nov
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Swimmers cruise to Big 8 title

Submitted by MTT News on Tue, 11/05/2024 - 12:29

Just when you think Middleton’s girls swimming and diving team — the WIAA Division 1 defending state champs — can’t get any better, they surprise you.

Middleton went to the Big Eight Conference meet held at Sun Prairie West last Saturday and put on a show.

The Cardinals won 11 of 12 events, set 11 new pool records and scored the most points in the history of the conference meet. Middleton finished with 738 points to easily outdistance runner-up Verona (613). Madison West (311), Madison Memorial (216) and Sun Prairie East (180) rounded out the top five.

“Our team had a really strong performance at the conference meet,” Middleton coach R.J. Leiferman said.

Boy, did they ever.

The Cardinals got a huge early boost from their divers on Friday.

Senior Avery Potrzbowski finished first and set a new school record with a score of 489.40. Senior Olivia Davis was second at 412.10 and senior Rita Vavilov was fourth (367.70).

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