Sports

Middleton’s girls soccer team shared the Big Eight Conference title in 2015. So it seemed appropriate that the Cardinals had the most players receive all-conference honors.

Middleton and co-league champion Madison West both had eight players named all-league.

Cardinals sophomore forward Kristen Reikersdorfer, senior midfielder Megan Sullivan and senior defender Ashley Stahnke were all named first-team all-conference. Senior forward Macey Kalscheur, junior midfielder Grace Douglas and senior defender Maddy Schachte were all named second-team all-league, while senior midfielder Emily Krueger and senior defender Lia Passini were named honorable-mention all-conference.

“I was very pleased that eight players got recognized in the all-conference picks,” Middleton coach Mary Duffy said. “We comprised 25% of each team and I think that each of those players earned their spot.

It was a magical year for Middleton’s boys golf program.

A Big Eight Conference title. Several outstanding performances at major invitationals. And a fifth place finish at state.

So it was no surprise that the Cardinals dominated the all-Big Eight Conference team.

Juniors Joey Levin, Emmet Herb and Brady Thomas were all named first-team all-conference. And junior Nils Arneson was named second-team all-league.

The all-conference teams are decided by the three lowest conference matches vs. the course rating, the Big Eight Conference tournament and three at large invitationals.

Levin finished second in the league for Player of the Year honors, a dramatic jump after he was a second-team all-conference player in 2014.

Levin’s low round of the season was a 71 at the Middleton Regional. Levin shot in the 70s in 15 of his 20 rounds, and he finished the year with an average of 77.2.

Middleton’s girls softball team enjoyed a sensational season.

There was a Big Eight Conference championship. A regional title. And a 17-5 overall record.

So it was no surprise that the Cardinals did extremely well when it came to all-conference voting, landing nine players on the all-Big Eight team.

Sophomore center fielder Rachel Everson was named first-team all-league, while freshman pitcher Lauren Banke, freshman left fielder Jessica Parente and junior first baseman Shelby Ballweg were second-team all-conference choices.

Senior shortstop Katie Fermanich, senior catcher Amber Karn, senior right fielder Abby Henke, senior second baseman Morgan Schmitt and sophomore pitcher Makenzie Kopp were all named honorable-mention all-conference, as well.

Everson had a memorable spring.

Middleton’s boys lacrosse team had to overcome two obstacles last Saturday night — powerhouse Hartland Arrowhead and bad weather. But the Cardinals persevered and came away with an impressive 10-8 victory to win the state championship in a game held at Beloit College.

It was the second state title in school history. Middleton also captured the crown in 2003, but the pool of teams was much smaller then.

Middleton’s senior-led team played what coach Matt Bock stated was perhaps their best first half of the season. Middleton started fast and built a 6-1 lead.

“The team had a great mindset coming into the game, were prepped well, and that was reflected in our quick start,” Bock said. “They knew this was a chance to make history for Middleton and clearly embraced it.”

When perennial power Milwaukee Marquette advanced through the draw, Middleton’s boys tennis team knew it had its work cut out if it was to claim its first state team title.

The Hilltoppers boasted far and away the state’s top doubles lineup along with a deep and talented roster.

In the end, the matchup proved too much to overcome as the Cardinals were swept in the doubles matches and went on to drop a 5-2 decision to the Hilltoppers in the WIAA Division 1 championship match at Nielsen Tennis Stadium Saturday.

“When we went through our semifinal we were hoping for Brookfield East because we matched up a little better with them,” said Middleton junior Brian Bellissimo. “We saw Marquette and we were going to give all we could, but they just played better than we did today. Their doubles are just crazy deep from every position.”

The 90-minute sectional final was largely filled with frustration and disappointment.

The other two months of their 2015 campaign was a downright joyride.

Middleton’s girls soccer team fell one step short of the state tournament, dropping a 4-1 decision to visiting Kettle Moraine in a WIAA Division 1 sectional final Saturday.

But the Cardinals certainly didn’t leave Firefighter’s Park with their heads hung low. Instead, Middleton left filled with pride about a year that was packed with success and surprises.

“Our expectation is always state and I thought this could be our year,” Middleton senior midfielder Megan Sullivan said. “But this was a great season for us. I don’t think there were many people that thought we’d do as good as we did.”

That’s for sure.

The Cardinals graduated 10 seniors from their 2014 team, but never missed a beat.

Verona — The disappointment should increase their drive.

The frustration figures to be an enormous motivator.

Middleton’s boys golf team will now try turning a negative into a positive.

The Cardinals finished in fifth place at the WIAA Division 1 state tournament held at University Ridge Monday and Tuesday. Middleton, which finished in fourth place a year ago, had much greater aspirations in 2015.

Instead, the Cardinals couldn’t find a branch of consistency to grab onto.

“It’s definitely disappointing,” said Cardinals junior Brady Thomas. “We had very high hopes, just like last year. But we just kind of laid a dud.”

Hartland Arrowhead won its sixth state team title in nine years, posting a 623. Green Bay Notre Dame was a close second at 624, while Bay Port (637), Badger (641) and Middleton (642) rounded out the top five.

When it was over, they were completely exhausted.

The blazing sun, the terrific opponent and the pressure of their season coming to an end had left Middleton’s girls soccer team dog-tired. But the Cardinals were also extremely happy.

Middleton edged Verona, 3-2, in double overtime in a thrilling WIAA Division 1 regional final last Saturday. The top-seeded Cardinals advanced to a sectional final Thursday at 7 p.m., where they’ll host third-seeded Madison West at Firefighter’s Park.

“At the end of the game, I told the girls that it took every ounce of every person today to achieve that win and send our seniors to a happy graduation ceremony on Sunday,” Middleton coach Mary Duffy said. 

The teams were tied, 2-2, headed to overtime.

It took great will power and resolve.

But Tara Franklin refused to crunch the numbers and try guessing where her Middleton’s girls track and field team might finish at the WIAA Division 1 state meet last weekend.

“I just didn’t want to get caught up in all the numbers,” Franklin said. “I wanted to enjoy the moment.”

Finally, with three events left, Franklin relented.

Franklin knew it had been a brilliant two days for her Cardinals. But even she was surprised to discover Middleton was on the brink of a remarkable second place finish.

When Middleton’s 1,600-meter relay team then finished third, the Cardinals had achieved greatness — and locked up a second place finish.

Whitefish Bay won the title with 48 points, while Middleton was second with 39 points. Kenosha Bradford and Monona Grove tied for third with 36 points, while Waukesha West was fifth (31).

The concept seems somewhat odd.

But when examined closer, it’s completely understandable.

Middleton’s boys track and field team finished fourth at the WIAA Division 1 state track and field meet held at UW-La Crosse last weekend. That finish is believed to be the best in school history.

Afterwards, though, the Cardinals were somewhat disappointed.

Why? Simple. These Cardinals fully believed an even higher finish was possible.

Bay Port won the title with 67 points, while Wisconsin Lutheran was second at 48. Madison West (36), Middleton (26) and Pewaukee (23) rounded out the top five.

“It was interesting to finish so well historically and feel so let down,” Middleton coach Isaac Mezera said. “We were chosen by many to finish in second or third place. Some even went so far to predict us winning the meet.