Sports

VERONA — Loren Skibba had just made the biggest one foot putt of her young life.

And as Middleton’s standout senior golfer was trying to exit the 18^th green at University Ridge, she was met by a mob of giddy Cardinals.

“They were crying, then I started crying,” Skibba said. “It was incredible.”

Incredible is the perfect word for what transpired here late Tuesday afternoon.

Middleton and Hartland Arrowhead engaged in an epic battle for the WIAA Division 1 state title. But for most of the day, the Warhawks kept the Cardinals at arms length.

Arrowhead still led by four shots with three holes to play. But over that stretch, Middleton made up a remarkable five strokes and won the title by one shot.

Middleton shot a season-low 310 on Tuesday’s final day and a 641 over the two-day tournament. That helped the Cardinals edge the Warhawks (642) and capture the second state title in school history.

Big Eight Conference titles are nothing new to Middleton’s football program.

The Cardinals have been at — or near — the head of the class since entering the league more than two decades ago. And more often than not, the rest of the conference is looking up at Middleton.

But there’s something special — make that extra special — about back-to-back, undisputed conference titles. And that’s what the Cardinals will be chasing Friday night.

Middleton rolled past Beloit Memorial, 38-6, last Friday and improved to 7-1 both in the league and overall. Heading into the final week of the season, the Cardinals hold a one-game lead over Madison Memorial, Madison La Follette and Verona.

Now, the task is simple. Win Friday at Janesville Craig and capture sole possession of the league title for a second straight year.

They’ve proven time and time again they can play with best the state has to offer.

Now, Middleton’s boys volleyball team is looking for a way to get over that proverbial hump.

The Cardinals gave another solid showing at last Saturday’s Whitefish Bay Invitational. Middleton reached the quarterfinals, before losing to eventual runner-up New Berlin United.

“This loss hurt, but once again we proved we can play with a top-five team,” Middleton coach Ben White said. “We had ample opportunities, but to New Berlin's credit they made plays.  

“I said it last week and I'll say it again — we're looking for a closer. And we need one more person to step up and take that last spot in the rotation.”

Middleton played the tournament without Jacob Ross and Chandler Squires, who were both battling injuries. But the Cardinals certainly held their own.

Middleton went 2-1 in pool play and advanced to the championship bracket.

Middleton’s girls volleyball team earned the No. 5 seed in its sectional. The Cardinals now host 12^th-seeded Baraboo Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. in the first round of the postseason.

If Middleton defeats the Thunderbirds, it would most likely travel to fourth-seeded Monona Grove on Oct. 24 for a regional final.

“I expected the sixth seed,” Middleton coach Franco Marcos said. “It went better than expected.”

Middleton finished Big Eight Conference play last week with wins over Beloit Memorial and Janesville Craig.

The Cardinals rolled past the Purple Knights, 25-25-11, 25-12, 25-23, last Tuesday. 

Lily Welti led Middleton with 16 kills and six digs, while Meghan Bayer had 10 kills. Logan Welti had five kills and 13 digs, Molly Zeinemann had five kills and 3 ½ blocks and Elizabeth Keller had 20 assists.

Middleton then toppled Craig, 25-13, 16-25, 25-15, 27-25 last Thursday and locked down third place in the Big Eight.

Middleton’s boys soccer team won two of three games last week.

The loss, though, was a painful one.

The Cardinals dropped a 3-2 decision to Madison West last Tuesday in a showdown for first place in the Big Eight Conference.

Middleton rebounded with an impressive 3-1 win at Beloit Memorial last Thursday and a 5-3 win over Sauk Prairie last Saturday.

The Cardinals now sit in second place in the Big Eight Conference heading to the final week of the regular season.

In Middleton’s loss to West, Derek Waleffe and Bradan Allen scored goals. But the high-powered Regents had too many playmakers and prevailed.

Middleton responded with an inspiring win over Beloit Memorial.

The Purple Knights took a 1-0 lead in the first half. But the Cardinals got a pair of second half goals from Allen and one more from Waleffe.

Middleton’s girls swimming and diving team finished third at the star-studded Homestead Invite last Saturday.

Hartland Arrowhead won the meet with 331.5 points, while Verona/Mount Horeb was second at 283. Middleton (274), Cedarburg (211) and Waukesha South/Mukwonago (207) rounded out the top five.

“This has always been one of the most difficult meets of the season for us,” Middleton coach Lauren Cabalka said. “It falls at a time of the season when the girls are exhausted, and yet are expected to perform at a very high level against the best teams in the state. We knew we would have to be at our best, despite how we were feeling, if we wanted to compete with these teams.”

Middleton’s quartet of Victoria Lin, Emma Karbusicky, Chiara Pierobon-Mays and Makenna Licking was third in the 200-yard medley relay.

The Cardinals’ 400-yard freestyle relay team of Hannah Aegerter, Samantha Roll, Cora Mack and Caroline Hippen was fourth.

VERONA — Loren Skibba was thinking the worst.

Middleton’s standout golfer had struggled down the stretch during Monday’s opening round of the WIAA Division 1 state tournament. Skibba heard her teammates had a rough finish, as well.

And while some of that was true, it was only half of the story.

As the winds howled across University Ridge Golf Course, scores skyrocketed everywhere. And Middleton, which started its day extremely strong, hung tough through the declining conditions.

Middleton finished its opening round with a 331-team score and sits in second place overall, four shots behind Hartland Arrowhead (327). Milton (336), Verona (340) and Franklin (341) rounded out the top five.

“Wow,” Skibba said when informed that the Cardinals were still right in the title mix. “That’s a lot better than I thought.”

They first met when they were just 10 years old.

It seemed unlikely they’d ever combine forces, as one was a singles star and the other a doubles standout.

But now that their immense talents have been united, they could be poised for one of the most memorable weekends of their young lives.

Kaisey Skibba and Abbey Webber — Middleton’s top doubles team — head to the WIAA Division 1 state tournament, which begins Thursday at Nielsen Tennis Stadium. And the Cardinals’ sensational duo seems ready for big things.

Skibba and Webber have compiled a 20-1 record this season and are the No. 2 seed at state. The pair earned a first round bye, then play their first match Friday at 10:15 a.m.

Skibba and Webber could play as many as three matches Friday. The semifinals are Saturday at 9:45 a.m., and the finals are later in the day Saturday.

They would have loved to hoist a sectional plaque. Make no mistake about it

But Middleton’s girls golfers remain poised to capture gold next week. And really, that’s the most important thing.

The Cardinals finished second at Tuesday’s WIAA Division 1 Madison West Sectional held at Odana Golf Course. Verona won the title with a 319-team score, while Middleton shot a 320.

Both the Cardinals and Wildcats qualified for the state tournament, which will be held at University Ridge Monday and Tuesday. Middleton will be making its fourth straight trip to state and 16^th since 1997.

“Going back is exciting, especially since this is my fourth year going and we have one more chance to grab the title,” said Middleton senior Loren Skibba, who won the state individual title last year. “It’s going to be a tough battle, but our team got some feel for the state tournament last year, so I hope we are more calm playing there this year.”

Middleton’s girls swimming team won its own invitational last Saturday.

The Cardinals finished with 354 points and edged Verona/Mount Horeb (342). Madison West (326), Madison Memorial (316) and Sun Prairie (292) rounded out the top-five at the 11-team invite.

“Our goal for this meet was to have fun with a different meet format,” Cardinals coach Lauren Cabalka said. “It is a time of the season when ‘fun’ isn't always happening during practice, and meets like this provide an opportunity for us to come together as a team in a different way. 

“Every event was a relay, which makes the focus 100% on the team rather than on individual performances. The girls swam very well. Once again, we displayed strength in areas where we typically have not.”

​Middleton’s 800-yard freestyle relay team of freshman Hannah Aegerter, senior Samantha Roll, freshman Cora Mack and sophomore Caroline Hippen was first in 7:52.64.