Sports

“It’s not okay to just be okay.”

That’s the mantra Middleton’s girls volleyball team will employ this fall.

The Cardinals went 18-14 last season in their first year under coach Ben White. Middleton also finished in fifth place in the Big Eight Conference and fell to Verona in a WIAA Division 1 regional final.

White, who led Middleton’s boys volleyball team to state 11 times during a 19-year run with that program, is hoping to build the Cardinals’ girls into a power, as well. And he’s optimistic Middleton will take steps in that direction during his second year at the helm.

“We are really excited about the team this year and to see what we can be as we move forward,” said White. “As we've told the girls, our level of play in August will not be the same level of play in October and hopefully November.

For degree of difficulty, Troy Teff got a 10. A perfect score.

It was a highlight reel catch.

All it counted for on the scoreboard, though, was six points. But on this night, points were not at a premium for Middleton, which cruised by Waterford, 49-10, on Aug. 29 at Otto Breitenbach Stadium in a Week 2 non-conference prep football game. 

Middleton improved to 1-1 heading into its Big Eight Conference opener Friday at 7 p.m. at home against Madison Memorial.

Teff’s reception in the back left corner of the end zone early in the second quarter made it 27-7 before Drew Cooney’s extra point split the uprights. That also capped an emphatic start for the Cardinals’ offense, which scored on their first four possessions of the game.

“That play was just an incredible play by him,” junior quarterback Joey Passaglia said. “I just tried to get it out there so he could make a play on it — and he did.”

If first impressions are indeed the most telling, it could be a terrific year for Middleton’s boys cross country team.

The Cardinals went to the star-studded Arrowhead Night Time race on Aug. 29 and finished second out of 15 teams.

Middleton’s girls were seventh out of 13 teams.

Homestead won the boys race with 72 points, while Middleton was a close second with 77. Sussex Hamilton (87), Marquette (99) and Pewaukee (167) rounded out the top five.

“I was pleased with the result,” Middleton coach Brian Finnel said. “This race is always a highlight for our team, it's such a fun and unique way to start the season. Racing under the lights. The team loves it.

“Our team goal was to get third and we placed second so the guys were pumped about that. I think we all were excited that Homestead was within reach as well, just five points out.”

The heat was overwhelming, almost crushing.

So Middleton girls golf coach Becky Halverson improvised — something she’s extremely good at.

And once again, the third annual ‘Coaches vs Cancer’  girls golf fundraiser — hosted by Middleton and Waunakee — was a smashing success.

The event, held at Maple Bluff Country Club on Aug. 26, was played on a day when the heat index reached 103 degrees. So Halverson and Waunakee coach Betsy Zadra made the decision to shorten the scramble from 18 to nine holes.

Needless to say, that move was a popular one.

“The decision to change it was a welcomed change,” Halverson said.

Even more exciting were the fundraising efforts.

All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society, and the 23 teams in the field raised $48,283, just shy of their goal of $50,000. Middleton itself raised $11,115.

“We were very happy overall with how the event went,” Halverson said.

The state’s top girls swimming and diving program is off to a tremendous start this fall.

Middleton, the defending WIAA Division 1 state champions, rolled past Madison La Follette, 140-23, last Friday and improved to 2-0 in the young season.

The Cardinals captured the top-three spots in all 11 events.

“It was another solid meet vs. La Follette,” Middleton coach R.J. Leiferman said. “I think we improved a little from our first meet last week. Our girls kept a great energy through the meet, which is what we needed, and we were a little more consistent with our races.”

Middleton’s 200-yard medley relay team of Tae Martin, Helen Machleidt, Brynn Sundell and Clara Kiehl finished first. The quartet of Abigail Frommelt, Rian Jost, Addie Dorn and Addison Haack was second, while the foursome of Tabitha Kuhl, Gianna Gabert, Aoife Ryan-Kaiser and Izzy Ensenberger was third.

Rebuild?

Please!

Reload?

You bet!

Middleton’s boys volleyball team lost five of six starters from its 2023 state championship team. At the Arrowhead Quadrangular on Aug. 30, though, the Cardinals showed it could be another special season in Middleton.

The Cardinals, ranked No. 2 in the state, dropped a 26-24, 25-23, 25-20 match to No. 1 Marquette. Middleton then upended No. 6 Sussex Hamilton in a five-set thriller, 19-25, 25-21, 27-25, 18-25, 15-11.

No. 3 Hartland Arrowhead was also part of this star-studded, season-opening event.

“These two matches are exactly why we schedule tough,” Middleton coach Dylan Griffith said. “We've got a new group on the floor and it was a great opportunity to see how we matched up with some of the other top ranked teams coming into the season. This event is always super competitive and it's not often that you can get the preseason No. 1, 2, 3 and 6 ranked teams all in the same gym.”

Hopes are high — again.

Expectations are soaring — again.

And Middleton’s boys soccer team showed why.

The Cardinals traveled to Lake Geneva Badger last Friday and routed the Badgers, 8-0, in their season opener. The game was stopped after 57 minutes due to the mercy rule.

Riley Kann led the way with two goals and two assists, and seven Cardinals scored goals.

“Have an average day.”

That was one of the countless lines that the quick-witted and extremely clever Gregg ‘Doc’ Cramer often delivered.

Cramer, a longtime teacher and coach in the Middleton/Cross Plains district, and a beloved member of the community, died unexpectedly on Aug. 15. He was 72.

The great American showman P.T. Barnum once said, “Always leave them wanting more.” Cramer did exactly that.

“He brought joy to everybody he was around,” Middleton co-head football coach Tim Simon said. “He was a funny guy, he kept things on the lighter side and in perspective.”

While Cramer loved delivering his “have an average day” line, there was nothing average about him.

Cramer taught English at Middleton High School for 33 years. He coached football for most of that time, as well as track and field.

Later, he became a fixture in the press box working home Middleton football games.

Kevin Pauls was joking.

Sort of.

For nearly two decades, Middleton’s boys soccer coaches have been asked, “Is this the year?”

The Cardinals won a state title in 2004, then went hungry until 2023. Then last year’s group made a magical run, won the WIAA Division 1 state title and brought a gold ball back to Middleton.

So as Pauls prepared to discuss his 2024 team — one that could be even better than a year ago — he joked, “You can't ask, ‘It's been 20 years since your last title. Is this the year?’ ”

No, the Cardinals definitely threw that monkey off their backs last year.

The question now becomes can this group repeat? And the answer appears to be a resounding yes.

Middleton brings back two all-state players, two more all-conference standouts and a deep and gifted roster.

So when the Cardinals begin their new season at Lake Geneva Badger on Friday, expectations will be sky high once again.

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.