Sports

GLENDALE — The girls state tennis tournament remains more than a month away.

But Middleton competed in what was, in essence, a mini-state meet last weekend. And the Cardinals showed they’ll be tough to slow down this postseason.

Middleton won the star-studded Nicolet Invite with 97.5 points, edging runner-up Eau Claire Memorial (97). Host Nicolet was third (87), while DSHA (77) and University School (70) rounded out the top five at the 16-school invite.

“I think it was a big deal for our team that everyone did so well in the tournament,” said senior Madison Krigbaum, who won the title at No. 4 singles. “There was some really strong competition there and I’m glad that we were able to rise to the occasion and win some tough matches. It was such a great experience to have with my teammates. We’re all such close friends that the whole thing was just a blast.”

Junior Emily Oberwetter, who won the championship at No. 3 singles, agreed with Krigbaum.

There has been improvement, development and advancement.

And at this point of the season, Middleton’s boys soccer team will take it.

The Cardinals won two of three games last week and improved to 3-4 overall on the young season.

Middleton defeated Beloit Memorial, 2-1, in overtime last Tuesday to notch its first Big Eight Conference win of the year.

The Cardinals then dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to Menomonee Falls at the Kettle Moraine Tournament Friday. Middleton bounced back, though, with a 3-0 blanking of Racine St. Catherine’s at the Kettle Moraine Tournament Saturday.

“We have suddenly had a quantum leap in the level of our play and we are finding our game,” Middleton coach Ben Kollasch said.

Middleton senior forward Devin Ketelboeter was the hero of the Beloit win. Ketelboeter scored just more than two minutes into overtime on an assist from senior forward Trent McKinnon.

Derek Rongstad didn't want to rush into the biggest decision of his young life. But the more he chewed on things, the more clear it all became.

The program. The potential. The location. The opportunity.

Rongstad, a senior at Middleton High School, liked all of the above about UW-Milwaukee’s men’s basketball program. And earlier this week, Rongstad decided to become a Panther.

Rongstad accepted a preferred walk-on offer at UWM and will join Rob Jeter’s program in 2014.

“It seemed like Milwaukee was just the perfect fit,” said the 6-foot-5 Rongstad. “I really liked the program and the coaches. I wanted to get it done early so I could just focus on getting ready for my senior year. It’s exciting.”

Rongstad, a first-team all-Big Eight Conference performer last year, drew interest from two Division 1 schools: Milwaukee and Elon (N.C.) University. Several Division 2 and 3 schools also made offers.

Ben White is excited.

His boys volleyball team at Middleton High School is probably even more enthusiastic.

Now, White just has to find a happy medium.

The Cardinals begin a season of great expectations Tuesday at Fort Atkinson. Middleton returns the majority of its group that reached the sectional finals a year ago, and could be one of the state’s top outfits.

White’s task is to mold the Cardinals into that unit, while keeping them balanced at the same time.

“I believe this team can be very good,” said White, who’s beginning his 13^th season as Middleton’s coach. “I believe this team believes we are great. We aren’t great. 

The message was delivered loudly.

It was hammered home for six days straight.

And it clearly resonated throughout Middleton’s football’s team.

The Cardinals gave a lackluster effort in a Week 1 loss to Madison Memorial. And Middleton coach Tim Simon was determined not to let such a scenario unfold again.

“We talked to the team about what it means to wear a Middleton uniform,” Simon said. “We didn’t play with a lot of pride in Week 1. We addressed what it means to put on this uniform, and if you can’t handle that responsibility, this is the not the sport for you.”

Simon’s team was listening.

Middleton rebounded in a big way last Friday night, hammering visiting Beloit Memorial, 49-0.

The Cardinals got three touchdowns from junior fullback Adam Frye and two more from junior tailback Alex Leahy. Middleton also outgained Beloit, 458-78.

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.