Sports

They are young.

They are gifted.

And they are extremely hungry.

Middleton’s boys cross country teams begins its season Saturday at the Verona Invite. And the Cardinals believe they have the makings for success — both in 2013 and beyond.

“It is a rebuilding/reloading year for the boys,” said Isaac Mezera, who will share co-coaching duties with Cindy Bremser for both the boys and girls programs.  

“The way it looks now our top five runners will be non-seniors, and three of the five are freshmen or sophomores. This allows us to gain some valuable experience, work on their confidence, and build the program up.”

Junior Andrew Plumb was Middleton’s top finisher at sectionals a year ago and should be poised for a big season.

“In his junior year, we expect him to be a varsity contributor in all meets,” Mezera said.

Times are definitely changing inside Middleton’s girls cross country program.

After a brilliant 20-year run, Joe Spolar stepped down after last season. Longtime assistants Cindy Bremser and Isaac Mezera will now work as co-head coaches.

But while there’s been a change at the top, the Cardinals expect the season to be like most others: extremely successful.

Middleton, which finished fourth at the WIAA Division 1 state meet a year ago, brings back six of those runners. And the Cardinals are expecting another season of terrific success.

“I would call this year an improvement year with the talent that is returning and rebuilding with all the fresh new faces,” said Bremser, whose team begins its season Saturday at the Verona Invite. “It is exciting to imagine what we can do this year and in the years to come. 

Franco Marcos likes to load up the schedule.

Middleton’s girls volleyball coach understands the big picture. And Marcos knows taking a few lumps today can help the Cardinals down the road.

That was the case last weekend, when Middleton competed at the star-studded, 24-team Mequon Homestead/St. Thomas More Joust. The Cardinals played well against many of the state’s elite teams, but settled for a 22^nd place finish.

“It was a tough tournament and we left it all on the floor,” Marcos said. “It was a great effort from start to finish. We are a tough team and will grow from this experience.”

Middleton opened as the No. 24 seed in the tournament, but defeated Milwaukee Pius, 25-21, 10-25, 15-10 in its first pool play match.

Mane Bobadilla led the Cardinals with nine kills, while Logan Welti had seven kills and two aces. Arissa Milton had three blocks, Leia Peterman had six digs and Bre Schlueter had 15 assists.  

The degree of difficulty was no surprise.

The final results most certainly were.

Middleton’s boys soccer team faced a murderous week with games against three state powers. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, they went a humbling 0-3.

Middleton dropped a 2-0 decision to Big Eight Conference foe Madison Memorial last Tuesday. The Cardinals then lost a pair of games at the Neenah Quad, falling 2-0 to Arrowhead on Friday and 5-2 to the host Rockets on Saturday.

The Cardinals slipped to 1-3 on the young season.

“The last week has been humbling for the team,” Middleton first-year coach Ben Kollasch said. “We knew it would be a tough week to face Memorial, Arrowhead, and Neenah. We would have hoped to come away with a result or two at least.  

Hunter Schultz has been a four-year varsity player for Middleton’s girls golf team. And it certainly seems like Schultz is ready to make her final year her best yet.

Schultz, whose game has consistently improved this season, captured medalist honors at last Thursday’s Madison East Triangular. Schultz shot a 2-over-par 38 at Monona Golf Course and powered the Cardinals to an easy win.

Middleton shot a 164 at its first Big Eight Conference meet of the year and easily outdistanced Sun Prairie (191) and Madison East (254).

“I am really happy with Hunter’s score both yesterday and over the past couple of weeks,” Middleton coach Becky Halverson said. “She has definitely stepped it up and is getting to where we need her to be consistently.”

Middleton also counted 42s from sophomore Loren Skibba, senior Sheenagh Cleary and freshman Alexis Thomas.

Middleton’s girls tennis team opened the Big Eight Conference season in style.

The Cardinals rolled past Madison Memorial, 6-1, last Wednesday.

Middleton also defeated Beloit Memorial, 7-0, last Thursday.

“The conference is looking deep,” Middleton coach Deke Bradley said. “We have some work to do to improve our doubles play. We looked a little off against Memorial, but we're coming along.”

Against Madison Memorial, Bridget Bellissimo rolled to a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles and Kaisey Skibba notched a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 2 singles. Emily Oberwetter and Madison Krigbaum both notched 6-1, 6-1 wins at No. 3 and 4 singles, respectively.

In doubles play, Allison Ragsdale and Darcy Hogendorn earned a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 1. And at No. 2, Abbey Webber and Baylie Gold rolled to a 6-1, 6-2 win.

Middleton’s girls swimmers opened the season in style with a 139-31 win over Beloit Memorial last Friday.

The Cardinals finished first and second in every event. Middleton also had the top three finishers in several events.

“This was a great first meet for us,” Middleton coach Lauren Cabalka said. “We were able to get a glimpse of what our very young team is capable of as well as our areas of strength and weakness lie.

“The first meet is always kind of a guessing game, but even more so this year. To their credit, the girls really stepped up and had some nice races.”

Middleton junior Paige Prestigiacomo, senior Olivia Kossel and junior Lauren Kalvin went 1-2-3 in the 200 yard freestyle. Cardinals senior Maddy Mack, junior Maggie Mangas and junior Erin McShane were the top three finishers in the 200 yard IM.

Franco Marcos is never shy.

Middleton’s girls volleyball coach won’t run and hide from great expectations. In fact, it’s Marcos who often fuels them himself.

So despite the Cardinals losing several key cogs from last year’s Big Eight Conference championship team, Marcos is predicting big things for his team in 2013.

“We have a better team than last year,” said Marcos, whose team opens its season Friday at the Mequon Homestead Invite. “Our players are experienced, stronger physically and mentally. I like what I have seen from the team in practice and in the two scrimmages that we have played so far.”

Middleton went a perfect 9-0 in the Big Eight last season and reached the WIAA Division 1 sectional semifinals, before losing to Waunakee. The Cardinals lost three all-conference players from that team, including first-team middle blocker Sydney Toon, second-team outside hitter DeeDee Maier and second-team setter Kylie Zubella.

First impressions are often the most telling.

And if that’s the case, it could be another banner season for Middleton’s boys soccer team.

The Cardinals went to Mount Horeb last Tuesday and routed the Vikings, 5-1, in their season-opener. Middleton senior defender Jack Hagstrom, a two-time all-state player, led the Cardinals with three goals.

“Jack Hagstrom was too much for us on set pieces,” Mount Horeb coach Mark Newman said. “He is a two-time all-state player and it showed.”

It was an impressive victory, considering Mount Horeb was the WIAA Division 2 state runner-up a year ago.

The game was tied, 1-1, at halftime. Middleton then erupted with four second half goals and pulled away.

“It took us until the second half to get going,” said Middleton first-year Ben Kollasch, who earned a victory in his debut. “In the first half Mount Horeb showed why they have been to the last three state tournaments.

MONONA — Middleton left fielder Josh Hinson is known for his home run power, annually ranking among the leaders in the Home Talent League.

But Hinson recorded a defensive gem in the eighth inning on Sunday when he snared Vince Schmitz ‘s bid for home run and helped preserve Middleton’s 4-1 victory over Monona in an opening round game of the Home Talent League amateur baseball playoffs at Ahuska Park on Sunday.

“Initially I thought it would just be a popup. But it hit the jet stream and just kept on carrying and Josh made a heck of a play,” Middleton pitcher Drew Farrell said of his first pitch to Schmitz with Robert Parman on first base and a 4-1 lead. “It was a curve ball low and inside and (Schmitz) got it up in the air, which he needed to do.”

Middleton manager Brandon Hellenbrand was also surprised that what at first appeared to be just a routine pop fly would prove to be a key moment in the game.