Middleton golfers expecting big things

When it comes to quarterback play, the Green Bay Packers are the envy of the NFL.

From Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love, the Packers are poised for four decades — or more — of elite quarterbacking play.

In many ways, Middleton is the Packers’ parallel when it comes to prep girls golf.

When Jill Reis left, Heidi Hinners took over. When Hinners graduated, Lindsey Solberg grabbed the reigns.

The list is endless, too, from Allison Van Hueklem, Loren Skibba, Alexis Thomas, Kate Maier, Ellie Frisch and Vivian Cressman, the Cardinals have had someone ready to lead their next group of standouts for more than a quarter century now.

MHS coach Becky Halverson isn’t sure who that player will be this fall. But history tells her someone will emerge, and odds are, the Cardinals will find themselves where they always do — among a handful of teams vying for a state title.

“The lineups may change from year to year, but our goals remain the same,” said Halverson, whose teams opens the new season Thursday at the Washington County Invite. “The girls understand this and push harder each year they are in the program.”

The consistency and dominance of Middleton’s program for nearly three decades now has been remarkable.

Since 1997, the Cardinals have reached the WIAA Division 1 state tournament 24 times, which is tied with Madison Edgewood for the most in that stretch.

The Cardinals have won four state championships since 2009 and have a remarkable 17 top-three finishes since 1999.

Middleton’s dominance under Halverson has been even more impressive. During Halverson’s 10 years as Middleton’s coach, MHS has reached state every year, won three state titles (2015, 2020 and 2021) and finished in the top three at state nine times.

“The biggest keys to Middleton golf being so successful are the commitment from the girls and their work ethic, as well as having such great junior golf programs at the local golf courses including Pleasant View Golf Course, Blackhawk Country Club, and Bishops Bay to name a few,” Halverson said.

Continuing that level of dominance this season will be a daunting task, but Middleton always seems up to the challenge.

The Cardinals must replace the magnificent Cressman, who was a first-team all-state performer and finished third individually at the state meet. Cressman averaged 36.19 per nine holes last season and shot under 40 on all 32 of her nines last year.

Ellen Close, a first-team all-Big Eight and honorable-mention all-state performer, also graduated.

But the Cardinals will bring back four of their top six players from a group that finished third at state last fall.

Senior Maddy Wilcox and junior Sydney Weiss figure to lead the group after both were named first-team all-Big Eight and honorable-mention all-state last year.

Wilcox averaged 42.72 last year, which is the lowest average among Middleton’s returnees. Wilcox shot 90, or better, in every round — highlighted by a personal-best 81 on the second day of the state tournament.

“Maddy had a great day two at state last season,” Halverson said. “She had a great summer of golf and really wants to come out strong for her senior year.”

Weiss averaged 43.45 per nine, an improvement of 3.40 from a year ago. Weiss made 14 birdies last season and had the Cardinals’ shot of the year when she made a hole-in-one at the state meet.

“Sydney improved by 3.4 strokes from her freshman to sophomore seasons,” Halverson said. “She continues to work hard and hopes to be someone we can count on throughout the season.”

Junior Annika Jafferis was named second-team all-conference last year after averaging 44.10 per nine, an improvement of 7.17 shots per nine.

“Annika matured a lot last season with her golf game and learned to really love the game,” Halverson said. “She played Day 2 of state and is excited to keep improving and be a contributor from start to finish.”

Senior Emily Utter played JV most of last year, but made impressive strides and worked her way into the lineup for both regionals and Day 1 of the state meet.

“She has been playing a lot this summer and is excited to give it her all her senior season,” Halverson said of Utter.

Middleton had a terrific JV team last year and that group which includes Addy Schnarr, Addie Sloan, Arya Wickramasinha and Ellie Bradford will all compete for varsity spots.

“Last year’s JV team was really consistent,” Halverson said. “All of our JV girls are back this year and want a taste at varsity. They have all put in a ton of time improving over the offseason. We are really excited to see them continue to push one another to be the best they can be.”

Freshmen Stela Flad, Olivia Oblizajek, and McKenna Utter are three newcomers that could help. And returnees Kate Buckley, Diya Dhawal, Gretchen Jones, Hannah Brand, Sophia Meddings, Layla Raval are all returners from last season hoping to move up the ladder.

Halverson isn’t sure how her lineup will look and who will lead this group.

But history says those answers will take care of themselves — and Middleton’s run of excellence will continue in 2024.