Sports

PRAIRIE DU SAC — Maxwell Hunter’s expectations in the boys 300-meter hurdles at the WIAA Division 1 Sauk Prairie track and field sectional on May 23 were understandably modest.

The Middleton junior was seeded sixth, and only the top three finishers qualify for the state meet.

Did he think when the event finished he’d be one of those three?

“I didn’t think so,” he admitted after, yes, you guessed it, pulling off the upset by finishing in second in 39.51 seconds. “I was just going as hard as I could. I didn’t expect that to happen.”

Two big reasons why Hunter shined is that he was talented enough to better his seed time of :41.10 and that he had the right attitude going in.

“I just kind of figured I didn’t have anything to lose, so I just ran as hard as I could,” he said.

In essence, he put no pressure on himself and simply trusted his ability.

The final game of the prep baseball season is always a sad one, unless it ends with a state championship run at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute.

Maybe next year.

Unlike a year ago when Middleton lost in the state quarterfinals in baseball’s promised land, the 2024 season came to a disappointing end on Tuesday evening.

Madison West senior right-hander Nick Thums scattered six hits over six innings and senior right-handed reliever Ryan Schiessel tossed a scoreless seventh inning as the No. 11 seeded Regents held off sixth-seeded Middleton, 4-1, in a WIAA Division 1 regional semifinal game.

“Just seeing all the guys out here who I’ve grown with the last four years, it’s really difficult to see them go,” Middleton senior designated hitter/pitcher Kevin Sheehan said. “I’ve grown a lot as a player here. It’s tough. There’s no other way to put it.

“We had a bunch of guys on base and couldn’t get them in. It happens sometimes. It happened today.”

They’ve gotten a taste of the good life.

Now, Middleton’s girls softball team wants the full meal — not just the appetizers.

The Cardinals won a WIAA Division 1 regional title on May 23 after downing visiting La Crosse Central, 5-0. Middleton, the No. 3 seed in the sectional, improved to 17-9 overall and advanced to a sectional semifinal at second-seeded Tomah (20-4) on Tuesday.

If the Cardinals defeated Tomah, they’d face either top-seeded Sun Prairie East or fourth-seeded Verona in a sectional final Thursday at 5 p.m. at Firefighters Park.

“Winning the region was exciting, but this team is hungry for more,” Middleton manager Brittany Carl said. “I'm so excited to see what we can do in the sectional round.”

What the Cardinals achieved during regional play was certainly exciting.

Two days after Megan Button blanked Madison West, 4-0, in the regional semifinals, Middleton’s junior ace came back and shutout Central, as well.

Bring on the second season.

After a terrific regular season, Middleton’s girls soccer team is optimistic a playoff run is in the cards.

Fourth-seeded Middleton hosted 13^th-seeded Madison East in a WIAA Division 1 regional semifinal Tuesday. If the Cardinals won there, they’d host the winner of fifth-seeded Verona and 12^th-seeded Janesville Craig in a regional final Saturday at 7 p.m.

The sectional semifinals are June 6, and if seeds hold, Middleton would travel to top-seeded Kettle Moraine. The sectional finals are June 8, where a date with second-seeded Madison West or third-seeded Waunakee would most likely await.

“From here on out, we will need to be mentally focused, doing the simple things, and stepping up to the next level,” Middleton coach Mary Duffy said. “It will be a tough two weeks for us to get to state, which is our ultimate goal.” 

Ethan Bo knocked on the door of a WIAA Division 1 individual state championship last year.

His brother, Alexander, also won a pair of matches at state last season.

The Bo brothers will aim for bigger and better at this year’s state tournament, which will be held Thursday through Saturday at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium on the University of Wisconsin campus.

Ethan Bo won his flight at No. 1 singles during the Madison Memorial Sectional on May 22 and is now the No. 3-seed at state. Ethan Bo (20-3), who was third individually at last year’s state meet, has a first round bye at this year’s state meet, then has his first match Thursday at approximately 4:15 p.m.

Alexander Bo won his sectional flight at No. 2 singles and is the No. 4-seed at state. Alexander Bo (25-3) won two matches at individual state last year and also has a first round bye this year. Alexander Bo will play his match Thursday at approximately 3:45 p.m.

They say that timing is everything.

And Middleton’s boys golfers team have picked the perfect time to catch fire.

The Cardinals shot a 294 and won the WIAA Division 1 Sauk Prairie Regional at Lake Wisconsin Country Club Tuesday. The top four teams advanced to the Madison Memorial Sectional, which will be held at Blackhawk Country Club on May 29.

The top two teams at sectionals advance to the state tournament, which will be held June 3-4 at Blackwolf Run in Kohler.

Waunakee was second at regionals with a 302, while third place Sauk Prairie (315) and fourth place Madison Memorial (317) also qualified for sectionals. Madison West (318), Verona (325), Mount Horeb (329) and Madison East (inc.) rounded out the eight-team regional.

Middleton senior Charlie Jambor and sophomore Reis Von Ruden tied for medalist honors, both shooting 3-over-par, 73. Cardinals senior Dain Johnson and sophomore Luke Weiss tied for third individually with 74s.

The tradition dates back several years — and is as enjoyable today as it was many moons ago.

Each time Middleton’s boys golf team wins an invite, they stop for slushies on the way home.

On May 16, the Cardinals pulled into their favorite establishment for that sweet drink and this one was perhaps more gratifying than most.

Middleton fired a 308 and edged Janesville Craig by two shots to win the Big Eight Conference meet held at Evansville Golf Club. Madison Memorial (318), Verona (328) and Madison La Follette (332) rounded out the top five.

Middleton snapped Madison Memorial’s streak of two straight Big Eight Conference titles and won the league for the first time since 2021.

“It felt great to win the conference and make a trip to Kwik Trip for slushies,” Middleton coach Tom Cabalka said. “Evansville can be a very challenging course.”

The adage ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going, is an appropriate description of Middleton junior right-hander Megan Button.

Nothing fazes Button when she steps into the circle for the Cardinals’ softball team.

On Tuesday, not even lightning — which necessitated a 68-minute break in the action — and the threat of thunderstorms kept Button from her mission.

Button was sensational in tossing a four-hit, complete game shutout to spark No. 3 seeded Middleton to a 4-0 victory over No. 14 seeded Madison West in a WIAA Division 1 regional semifinal prep softball game at Firefighters Memorial Park.

“She was well in command. She had everything working today,” Middleton manager Brittany Carl said of Button, who struck out 10 with just one walk. “She’s never rattled whether it’s super windy, whether it’s raining or there’s lightning.

PRAIRIE DU SAC – When the Middleton 29ers last won the Home Talent League championship, a youthful Drew Farrell was a bulldog on the mound and at the plate.

But while Farrell was one of the team’s rising young stars on that 2013 squad, he opened a new HTL season on Sunday as the elder statesman of the team.

“I don’t know how many years or games I’ve got left. It’s all special, and I don’t take it for granted,” said Farrell, who arrived back home on Saturday evening following a week of golfing in Ireland, but was ready to roll at game time. “I’d love, one more run. Since that 2013 championship, I think we’ve been to four or five Final Fours. We just couldn’t close the deal. Getting there is an accomplishment. I’d love to have one more shot at it.”

Although Middleton suffered a 3-2 loss to the host Sauk Prairie Twins on Sunday, Farrell said he liked what he saw from his younger teammates against the perennial league power Twins.

Middleton’s track and field teams competed at the WIAA Division 1 Monona Grove Regional Monday.

The top four finishers in each event advanced to the Sauk Prairie Sectional, which begins Thursday at 4 p.m. The top three finishers at sectionals then move on to the state meet, which is May 31 and June 1 in La Crosse.

Waunakee’s girls finished first at regionals with 147 points, while Verona (122), Madison Memorial (95.50), Middleton (88.50) and Mount Horeb (84.50) rounded out the top five.

Verona won the boys title with 104.0 points, while Madison Memorial (101.0), Waunakee (100.0), Middleton (91.0) and Madison West (83.50) rounded out the top five.

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ top performers and those that will be moving on to sectionals.

GIRLS

• Kara Meeteer won the long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 11 inches. Meeteer was also third in the high jump (5-0).