Sports

The pieces for greatness appeared to be in place.

The parts for excellence all seemed to be there.

That was then, though. And this is now.

Middleton’s boys basketball team endured a turbulent offseason and has more questions than answers today. And when the Cardinals begin their new season Thursday at Madison Memorial, uncertainty is the prevailing theme.

Middleton 7-foot senior center Will Garlock — a University of Wisconsin recruit and one of the state’s dominant players — will be sidelined to start the year with a broken ankle he suffered in April. Garlock was on track to be ready for the season-opener, but suffered a setback that will keep him out the early portion of the year.

The Cardinals also expected to have junior point guard Isaiah Oliver — an honorable-mention all-conference player last season. But Oliver transferred to Northwest High School in Waukee, Iowa, in August after his father landed a job in the area.

The 2024 boys swimming and diving season had been over for, oh, perhaps 15 minutes.

As Middleton’s tremendous group basked in the glow of a second straight WIAA Division 1 state title, the Cardinals couldn't wait to dip their toes back in the water again.

“Our goal is to get back and do it again next year,” Max Carter said at the time.

Well, next year is here.

And the Cardinals certainly have the firepower and make it a three-peat.

Middleton juniors Max Carter, Caden VanBuren, Sam Wolf and Ben Cutler Heiderscheit are one of the dominant classes the state has seen in some time. And if the Cardinals make a run at a third straight title, that fabulous foursome will lead the way.

“My expectation for these four and all of my swimmers is to compete, improve and have fun throughout the season,” Middleton coach Wes Lagerhausen said. “If we are able to do this, we will continue to be a successful program.”

The boys hockey season has just begun.

But Middleton senior forward Wyatt Ehrhardt has already served notice that he’ll be one of the top players in the state of Wisconsin this season.

Ehrhardt had a remarkable eight goals in Middleton’s first two games and powered the Cardinals to a 2-0 start.

Middleton defeated Madison Memorial, 6-2, on Nov. 26. The Cardinals then downed Sauk Prairie’s co-op team, 7-4, on Nov. 30.

In Middleton’s win over Madison Memorial, Ehrhardt had four goals — including three in the second period. Eli Covey and Michael Garbuz added goals, as well.

Patrick Passini had two assists, while Everett Lamp, Taylor Park, Thomas Kydd and Ehrhardt all had assists, as well.

Middleton goalie Heuer Stutz had 18 saves and picked up the win.

Ehrhardt then had four goals and two assists in the Cardinals’ win over Sauk Prairie. Covey and Garbuz both added a goal and an assist, while Lamp had a goal, as well.

Improvement.

Progress.

Growth.

Middleton’s girls basketball team believes all of the above are certainly possible this season.

The Cardinals have gone 19-31 during Rashard Griffith’s first two seasons as head coach, and are 0-2 in the postseason. That’s in sharp contrast to the Jeff Kind-era where the Hall of Fame coach led Middleton to 12 state tournament appearances and three trips to the state finals during his 30 years at the helm.

But Griffith and the Cardinals believe better days are ahead.

Middleton returns a gifted group of guards, adds talented post Macey Blazek — a transfer student from just outside Nashville, Tenn. — and hopes to be one of the most improved teams in the Big Eight Conference.

Middleton’s boys soccer team had a year to remember, repeating as WIAA Division 1 state champs.

After another memorable season, the Cardinals were justly rewarded when it came to postseason awards.

Middleton senior midfielder Jimmy Murphy was named first-team all-Big Eight Conference and the league’s co-Player of the Year. Murphy was also named the state’s Player of the Year by the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association.

Senior defender Josh Lee was named first-team all-Big Eight and first-team all-state. Senior forward Tony Murphy was named first-team all-Big Eight and honorable-mention all-state.

Sophomore defender Josh Lee was named second-team all-conference. And senior forward Riley Kann, senior midfielders Sawyer FitzRandolph and Quinn Davis, and senior keeper Liev Schiffman were all named honorable-mention all-Big Eight.

Middleton’s boys volleyball team surprised many by reaching the WIAA state championship match this season and eventually finishing for second.

It was no surprise, though, that the Cardinals hauled in several postseason honors after having another memorable year.

Junior outside hitter Caden Van Buren was named the Big Eight Conference’s Player of the Year and received first-team all-state honors, as well. Junior setter Bryce Stuttgen was named first-team all-Big Eight and third-team all-state.

Junior outside hitter Vance Ferry and junior middle blocker Will Hoffman were both named second-team all-Big Eight and honorable-mention all-state. And sophomore outside hitter Jonah Johnson was named honorable-mention all-Big Eight.

Middleton’s Dylan Griffith was also named the Big Eight’s Coach of the Year.

It was a memorable season for Middleton’s girls volleyball team.

The Cardinals won the Big Eight Conference, went 26-6 overall and reached the sectional semifinals.

So it was certainly no surprise the Cardinals had five players named to the all-Big Eight Conference team.

Junior outside hitter Sadie Newcomb earned first-team all-conference honors and was also named the Big Eight Conference’s Player of the Year. Junior setter Andrea Wipperfurth and senior rightside Keaten Davis were also named first-team all-conference.
Both senior middle hitter Macey Blazek and junior libero Elyssa Ross were named second-team all-conference.

Middleton head coach Ben White was also named the league’s Coach of the Year.

Newcomb led the conference with a whopping 325 kills. She also added 41 aces and 197 digs.

For her career, Newcomb now has 553 kills, 418 digs and 80 aces.

WAUKESHA — Middleton’s girls swimming and diving team had to feel pretty good about themselves as they walked out of the Waukesha South natatorium in Nov., 2023.

After all, the Cardinals were exiting as WIAA Division 1 state champs for the first time since 2018.

As Middleton dove back into the familiar pool once again last Saturday, it knew one thing for certain: As good as last year’s squad was, this year’s team was even better.

Sure enough, that proved to be the case, as the Cardinals won all three relays and rolled to their second straight state title.

Middleton finished with 334 points to easily outdistance runner-up Verona (211). Arrowhead (200.5), Muskego (165.0) and Oregon (153.0) rounded out the top five.

To the victors go the spoils.

Few teams won more than Middleton’s girls golfers this fall, as the Cardinals rolled to the Big Eight Conference title and finished third at the WIAA Division 1 state meet.

So it was a no-brainer the Cardinals dominated when it came to postseason awards.

Junior Annika Jafferis was named the Big Eight Conference’s Player of the Year and earned third-team all-state honors. Junior Sydney Weiss and senior Emily Utter were both named first-team all-conference and honorable-mention all-state.

Senior Maddy Wilcox was named second-team all-conference and honorable-mention all-state. And senior Arya Wickramasinha was named second-team all-Big Eight.

Jafferis had 16 nine-hole rounds under 40 this season and had one nine-hole round under par. Jafferis averaged 40.7 per nine holes this year, down from 51.3 her freshman season.

SUN PRAIRIE — Nowhere to hide.

Middleton’s girls swimming and diving team is the defending WIAA Division 1 state champion, and with a talented roster once again, the Cardinals are every bit as capable of a repeat.

And everyone knows it.

So entering last Saturday’s sectional meet at Sun Prairie West High School, all eyes were on the Cardinals.

“We’re conscious of the fact that we’re probably a target for other teams, but if that’s pushing (them) to work hard, it’s pushing us to work just as hard, because we know what we can do,” junior Sulia Miller said. “We don’t want to lose. We want to keep pushing for the things that we know we’re capable of. There definitely is pressure, but it pushes us to work so much harder and to swim just that much faster.”

It showed at sectionals.