January 2026

Another week.

Another win.

That’s how things keep going for Middleton’s terrific boys swimming team.

The Cardinals won their own invitational last Saturday, finishing with 229 points to easily outdistance runner-up Madison West (161). Verona was third with 132, while Madison Memorial (129) and McFarland (110) rounded out the top five.                

“It’s a fun meet due to most of the events not being a part of the normal high school line-up,” Middleton coach Wes Lagerhausen said. “It also creates some interesting choices for the coaches to make.

“It’s a perfect way to enjoy one of the last weekends before championship season, where most of the athletes will swim a similar, if not totally the same lineup to prepare to the best of their ability.”

Middleton’s hockey team ended a seven-game losing streak with a 6-5 win at Beloit Memorial on Jan. 13.

The Cardinals improved to 4-10-1 overall and is 4-2 in the Big Eight Conference.

Middleton’s Christian Schuster scored the game-winner on an assist from George Arp at the 10:46 mark of the third quarter to snap a 5-5 tie.

Middleton led, 2-0, and 5-2 before the Purple Knights battled back. But Schuster’s game-winner helped the Cardinals end their skid.

Patrick Passini scored on an assist from Everett Lamp, and Schuster had a goal on assists from Luke Strasia and Tyce Mikla as Middleton took a 2-0 lead in the first period.

Beloit answered with two goals in the first 7 minutes of the second period to tie the game, 2-2. Then Middleton rolled off three straight goals in a 6 1/2-minute window and surged to a 5-2 lead.

Unanticipated.

Surprising.

Unexpected.

No matter which term you pick to describe the start of Middleton’s boys basketball season, you’ll be right.

The Cardinals improved to 8-1 overall last week and a perfect 6-0 in the Big Eight Conference with wins over Madison East and Sussex Hamilton.

Middleton defeated the visiting Purgolders, 107-93, on Jan. 9. The Cardinals then traveled to Sussex Hamilton and rallied past the Chargers, 76-71, last Saturday.

Middleton put itself in terrific shape heading into its showdown at Verona (6-0, 8-1), which was played Tuesday night.

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ week.

• Middleton 107, Madison East 93 — The Cardinals set a school record for points, eclipsing the previous mark of 96 set in the 2016-’17 season.

Senior guard John Grimes had a career-high 32 points to power Middleton. Grimes went 8-of-8 from the free throw line, had six assists and two steals.

Middleton’s boys swimming team had its first home meet of the season on Jan. 9.

And the Cardinals made it a terrific one, posting a 133-35 win over an undermanned team from Sun Prairie East.

“As always I thank all of my parents for helping run an efficient meet,” Middleton coach Wes Lagerhausen said. “With only a month or so left in the season I talked to our team about taking advantage of race opportunities and setting themselves up for success.

“Sun Prairie East is a smaller team so we had a full heat of Middleton run as “JV.” This was great to see teammates race each other and guide some of my decisions coming up here soon.”

Here’s how Middleton’s swimmers performed.

• Espen Morner won the 200-yard freestyle, while Evan Myers was second and Morgan Dorsey was third.

• Henry Zanton won the 200-yard IM, while Caden Van Buren was second and Fredrick Cupelli was third.