Sports

The six seniors on Middleton’s girls soccer team will never forget the date June 1, 2024.

First, the Cardinals’ ‘Super Six’ took part in Middleton’s graduation that afternoon. Then, they helped MHS defeat one of its biggest rivals on the pitch with a thrilling 1-0 win over visiting Verona in a WIAA Division 1 regional final.

Freshman Trinnity Wyttenbach scored the game’s only goal in the first overtime, converting a pass from fellow freshman Brooke Lister.

Middleton, the No. 4 seed in its sectional, improved to 13-3-3 and travels to No. 1-seeded Kettle Moraine (13-0-3) for a sectional semifinal Thursday at 7 p.m. If the Cardinals win there, they’d host a sectional final Saturday at 7 p.m. against either second-seeded Madison West or third-seeded Waunakee.

MADISON — The Bo brothers both had byes in the opening round of the WIAA Division 1 individual state tennis tournament at Nielsen Tennis Stadium on May 30.

Both Middleton standouts then won in the round of 32 later that day, and they each ripped off a pair of wins on May 31 to reach the state semifinals.

Along the way, Ethan Bo, a junior, and Alexander Bo, a sophomore, didn’t have much time to pay attention to how the other was doing, at least not specifically.

“I actually have never watched Alex at all in this entire tournament,” Ethan said after the quarterfinals. “I know he’s played good out there. The scores look pretty good.”

The brothers were on a collision course, though, which eventually saw them meet in the third place match.

Middleton and Reedsburg engaged in a pitcher’s duel Sunday afternoon.

Fortunately for the 29ers, they had Brady Schmitt and Drew Farrell on their side.

Schmitt hurled six strong innings and Farrell threw the last three to lead Middleton to a 3-2 win in Home Talent League action.

The 29ers improved to 2-1 on the young season.

“Both teams’ pitchers threw really well,” Middleton manager Jacob Ross said.

That’s for sure.

Schmitt struck out seven while allowing just four hits and two runs in his six innings of work. Farrell allowed just one hit and struck out three in the final three frames.
Middleton took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Stephen Paulsen walked and scored on an RBI double by Andrew Zimmerman. The 29ers extended their advantage to 2-0 in the third when Easton Zempel doubled and later scored on an RBI single by Hayden Hellenbrand.

Middleton’s sent several athletes to the WIAA Division 1 state track and field meet last weekend at Veterans Memorial Stadium in La Crosse.

And while the Cardinals didn't land any podium finishers (top-six) d, they did have a productive two days at state.

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ performances:

GIRLS

• Middleton finished in 40^th place overall with four points. Arrowhead won the team title with 67 points.

• Sophomore Olivia Chellevold was seventh in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 11 minutes, 6.36 seconds. Muskego’s Ella Anschutz won the race in 10:35.26.

• Junior Kara Meeteer was seventh in the long jump with a leap of 18 feet, 4.25 inches. Homestead’s Anisa Barnett was first with a jump of 19-8.

• Middleton’s 800-meter relay team of senior Samara Bradtke, freshman Haley Jodlowski, sophomore Noel Neuser and Meeteer was 16^th.

Megan Button was tremendous — again.

Mack Heinz had the defensive play of the season.

And Middleton’s bats heated up at the perfect time.

The result was the biggest win of the Brittany Carl-era, as the Cardinals defeated host Tomah, 4-1, in a WIAA Division 1 softball sectional semifinal on May 29.

Middleton, the No. 3 seed in the sectional, improved to 18-9 on the year and reached its first sectional final during Carl’s four seasons. It was also Middleton’s first trip to the sectional finals since 2009.

Tomah, which was the No. 2 seed in the sectional, finished the year 20-5.

“We wanted Tomah from the start,” Carl said. “I think a lot of coaches looked at our record versus theirs and automatically assumed they were the better team, not realizing that almost every single one of our losses came against top-10 opponents.

They waited 52 weeks for this moment.

When it finally arrived, Middleton’s boys golf team wasn’t going to let it slip away.

The Cardinals shot a sizzling 301 and won the Madison Memorial Sectional held at Blackhawk Country Club on May 29. Waunakee was a distant second with a 313 and earned the second trip to state.

One year ago, Middleton tied for second place at the Waunakee Sectional, but lost a playoff to Holmen for the final state berth. So this year provided sweet redemption for the Cardinals.

“The guys had been focused on this day since last year's sectional when things didn't go particularly well for us,” Middleton coach Tom Cabalka said. “They were not about to have a repeat day. 

“Moving on to state is a great accomplishment and the guys were quite excited. Playing really well right from the start of their day, it was a pretty relaxed round of golf. What was most impressive was how smart they played.”

PRAIRIE DU SAC — Maxwell Hunter’s expectations in the boys 300-meter hurdles at the WIAA Division 1 Sauk Prairie track and field sectional on May 23 were understandably modest.

The Middleton junior was seeded sixth, and only the top three finishers qualify for the state meet.

Did he think when the event finished he’d be one of those three?

“I didn’t think so,” he admitted after, yes, you guessed it, pulling off the upset by finishing in second in 39.51 seconds. “I was just going as hard as I could. I didn’t expect that to happen.”

Two big reasons why Hunter shined is that he was talented enough to better his seed time of :41.10 and that he had the right attitude going in.

“I just kind of figured I didn’t have anything to lose, so I just ran as hard as I could,” he said.

In essence, he put no pressure on himself and simply trusted his ability.

The final game of the prep baseball season is always a sad one, unless it ends with a state championship run at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute.

Maybe next year.

Unlike a year ago when Middleton lost in the state quarterfinals in baseball’s promised land, the 2024 season came to a disappointing end on Tuesday evening.

Madison West senior right-hander Nick Thums scattered six hits over six innings and senior right-handed reliever Ryan Schiessel tossed a scoreless seventh inning as the No. 11 seeded Regents held off sixth-seeded Middleton, 4-1, in a WIAA Division 1 regional semifinal game.

“Just seeing all the guys out here who I’ve grown with the last four years, it’s really difficult to see them go,” Middleton senior designated hitter/pitcher Kevin Sheehan said. “I’ve grown a lot as a player here. It’s tough. There’s no other way to put it.

“We had a bunch of guys on base and couldn’t get them in. It happens sometimes. It happened today.”

They’ve gotten a taste of the good life.

Now, Middleton’s girls softball team wants the full meal — not just the appetizers.

The Cardinals won a WIAA Division 1 regional title on May 23 after downing visiting La Crosse Central, 5-0. Middleton, the No. 3 seed in the sectional, improved to 17-9 overall and advanced to a sectional semifinal at second-seeded Tomah (20-4) on Tuesday.

If the Cardinals defeated Tomah, they’d face either top-seeded Sun Prairie East or fourth-seeded Verona in a sectional final Thursday at 5 p.m. at Firefighters Park.

“Winning the region was exciting, but this team is hungry for more,” Middleton manager Brittany Carl said. “I'm so excited to see what we can do in the sectional round.”

What the Cardinals achieved during regional play was certainly exciting.

Two days after Megan Button blanked Madison West, 4-0, in the regional semifinals, Middleton’s junior ace came back and shutout Central, as well.

Bring on the second season.

After a terrific regular season, Middleton’s girls soccer team is optimistic a playoff run is in the cards.

Fourth-seeded Middleton hosted 13^th-seeded Madison East in a WIAA Division 1 regional semifinal Tuesday. If the Cardinals won there, they’d host the winner of fifth-seeded Verona and 12^th-seeded Janesville Craig in a regional final Saturday at 7 p.m.

The sectional semifinals are June 6, and if seeds hold, Middleton would travel to top-seeded Kettle Moraine. The sectional finals are June 8, where a date with second-seeded Madison West or third-seeded Waunakee would most likely await.

“From here on out, we will need to be mentally focused, doing the simple things, and stepping up to the next level,” Middleton coach Mary Duffy said. “It will be a tough two weeks for us to get to state, which is our ultimate goal.”