Sports

You can say this for Mary Duffy and Middleton’s girls soccer team.

They don’t hide from anyone.

One week after playing DSHA — the WIAA Division 1 defending state champs — the Cardinals battled Oregon, the top team in Wisconsin.

And much like Middleton’s game against the Dashers, the Cardinals discovered they can play with anyone.

Middleton battled the mighty Panthers throughout, but dropped a 1-0 decision on April 19. The Cardinals then defeated Madison East, 3-0, on April 21.

Middleton is now 2-2-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big Eight Conference.

“We battled throughout the game,” Middleton coach Mary Duffy said of the Oregon game. “Within our first five games, we know we can battle it out with anyone and give ourselves a chance for the win.

The lousy weather has made for a brutal spring.

And for track and field teams everywhere, they’re suddenly up against the gun.

That’s because track has the earliest postseason and state tournament. So track teams have just a few more weeks to round into shape before the postseason arrives.

Middleton took a good step in that direction with a 102-30 win over visiting Madison West on April 19.

“Overall it was a great meet with some good races and competition,” Middleton coach Jay Schweitzer said.

Elle Seager had a big day, winning the 100 high hurdles (18.34) and the 300 long hurdles (52.32). Maddy VanderSanden was also a double winner, with a first place finish and a personal-best mark in the shot put (36-9 ¼) and a first place showing in the discus (96-6).

Jessica Bristol also won a pair of events, the 400-meter run (1:05.84) and the long jump (15-3).

“Jessica Bristol had another solid meet,” Schweitzer said,

Middleton’s boys track and field team will have just two home meets this season.

The Cardinals — who always like to shine on their home field — hosted their first meet of the season on April 19. And Middleton made the most of it.

The Cardinals dominated the jumps and the throws and defeated Madison West, 88-49.

“It was great to be at home for the first time this season,” Middleton coach Chad Kliefoth said. “The excitement level was high and the kids had put in the work to be ready for this meet. 

“That work paid off in the results and with a number of PR's in this meet. These kids continue to raise the bar each and every meet and that is what we — the coaches — keep asking for.”

Middleton got first place finishes from the following individuals:

• Sam Pilof in the 100-meter dash (11.06 seconds).

• Finn Patenaude in the 300-meter hurdles (42.46).

• Harper Fahey in the 800-meter run (2:02.77).

Big-time players make big-time plays in big games.

Middleton senior third baseman Bailey Flock brought that adage to life in leading the Cardinals to a key early-season prep softball victory over perennial Big Eight Conference power Verona on April 12 at Orchid Heights Park.

With a runner at third and two outs in the top of the seventh inning, and the host Cardinals clinging to a two-run lead, Flock made the defensive play of the game.

Flock made a diving stop to her right and gunned a throw from her knees to first base to retire clean-up hitter Ellie Osting for the final out and preserve a 5-3 victory over Verona.

Middleton improved to 4-2 overall and 3-0 in the Big Eight Conference, while the Wildcats fell to 1-1, 0-1.

“You’ve got some of these kids on defense who are just gritty,” Middleton head coach Brittany Carl said. “They will do what it takes to support (freshman pitcher) Megan (Button).

They faced the best.

And Middleton’s girls soccer team left understanding that they can certainly play with the best.

The Cardinals traveled to DSHA — the defending WIAA Division 1 state champs — on April 12. And while the Dashers prevailed, 2-1, Middleton discovered that it can play with anyone in the state.

“The coaching staff and I are so proud of the team for the fighting spirit they have and the way they battled,” Middleton coach Mary Duffy said. 

The game was played in heavy winds and the Dashers had the wind at their back in the first half. DSHA took full advantage, scoring goals in the 25^th and 35^th minutes to take a 2-0 lead.

When the teams switched sides at halftime, though, Middleton looked like a different team in the next 40 minutes.

“With a switch at half came a switch in the wind, a switch in our play and a switch in our mentality,” Duffy said. “We came out with renewed vigor and tenacity.”

Stellar scores will eventually come from everyone.

Tom Cabalka is certain of that.

For now, Cabalka — Middleton’s boys golf coach — will take what he can get and cross his fingers that spring eventually arrives.

The Cardinals finished in second place at the Badger-Big Eight Conference Challenge held at Bishop’s Bay on April 11. Waunakee won the event with a 304, while Middleton shot 306 and both Madison Edgewood and Milton shot 323.

Cabalka was OK with Middleton’s number when you consider the brutal spring weather has dramatically limited the Cardinals’ ability to play outside.

“We, along with every other team in the state, need some good weather to practice and improve,” Cabalka said. “What I really like about this group is that they really do love the game. It appears that they have a great passion to practice and work to improve.”

Despite limited rounds, Middleton got terrific days from sophomores Dain Johnson and Charlie Jambor.

The wait seemed endless at times.

But when Middleton’s track and field teams finally made their debut on April 12, they made sure it was a memorable unveiling.

Middleton’s boys defeated Janesville Craig, 75-56. The Cardinals’ girls toppled the Cougars, 87-49.

“This meet is always an opportunity for our athletes to put their hard work to the test,” boys coach Chad Kliefoth said. “It is also an opportunity to get a feel for competition speed, learn the flow of the meet, and get the jitters out. The weather wasn't amazing, but our athletes showed up and gave us some really good performances to set some solid marks to work from.”

Middleton’s Finn Patenaude won the 400-meter dash in 55.55 and the 110-meter high hurdles (16.68). Harper Fahey won the 800 in 2:05.08 and Parker Worden won the 1,600 (4:59.62).

Middleton’s tennis team rolled to a pair of wins last week.

The Cardinals defeated Beloit Memorial, 7-0, on April 14. Middleton also toppled Madison East, 7-0, on April 12.

In Middleton’s win over Beloit, No. 1 singles player Ian Connell, No. 2 Jonathan Kim, No. 3 Aarush Gupta and No. 4 Kieran Gopal all posted 6-0, 6-0 wins.

In doubles play, Middleton’s top tandem of Saketh Peddireddy and Jun Lee, No. 2 Neel Mukherjee and Bodi Russo and No. 3 Aarush Gupta and Evan Blakeman all rolled to 6-0, 6-0 wins, as well.

In Middleton’s win over East, Connell notched a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles. Kim, Gupta and Lee all posted 6-0, 6-0 wins at No. 2, 3 and 4 singles.
In doubles play, Gopal and Rice posted a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 1. Peddireddy and Franklin Hu notched a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 2, while Mukherjee and Russo earned a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 3.

Tom Cabalka knows the ranking means nothing.

His golfers understand, as well.

Middleton’s boys golfers were ranked No. 1 in the Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin preseason poll. While that kind of news might send a buzz through many programs, the Cardinals took notice, smiled for a second, then kept grinding.

“By having a high ranking, I hope this means that our boys realize that they need to work and practice with a meaning and play intelligently if they want to live up to the hype,” said Cabalka, Middleton’s veteran coach. “I have not heard any talk about the ranking because they know I don't take much stock in the early season. It matters in June. I think they realize that as well.”

It’s been three years since the Big Eight has held a conference meet.

The 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19. And while there was a season in 2021, there wasn’t a conference meet.

That might have a break for everyone in the league not named Middleton.

The Cardinals won seven straight conference titles from 2012-19. And now after a two-year hiatus, Middleton is excited to prove its dominance inside the league once again.

“We have some really good programs in the Big Eight,” said Middleton first-year coach Chad Kliefoth, whose team began its season at Janesville Craig Tuesday. “Sun Prairie and (Madison) Memorial tend to be our rivals with Verona always showing up strong. 

“Middleton has done well over the last few seasons and we have high expectations coming into this season to finish at the top. These kids work hard day-in and day-out and I would expect nothing less from this group.”