Sports

They’re still finding their way.

In the process, though, Middleton’s boys golf team is playing as well as almost anyone in the state.

On Monday, the Cardinals won the Spartan Invite held at Blackhawk Country Club. Middleton fired a 312 to outdistance runner-up Madison Memorial (326) and win the 10-team event.

Cardinals senior Jacob Beckman captured medalist honors with a 75. Middleton also counted a 77 from Dain Johnson, and an 80 from both Alec Sosnowski and Drew Sjowall.

The performance was just what Middleton coach Tom Cabalka was hoping for after a somewhat frustrating stretch in which he was trying to settle on a lineup.

Last week, the Cardinals won the Madison Edgewood Invitational on April 26. Middleton also finished second at a Big Eight Conference match on April 28, and placed second at the Onalaska Invite on April 30.

In a normal April, Brent Jorgensen would certainly know who his top players were.

He’d know who he’d want on the mound at crunch time, what batting lineups worked best and what late-game defensive replacements made the most sense.

But many of those things remain a mystery to Jorgensen, Middleton’s third-year baseball manager. That’s what happens when COVID-19 wipes out a season like it did with all spring sports in 2020.

“It's hard to say who will be our top position players and our expectations for each player because we are entering a season where we didn't really get to see kids last year,” said Jorgensen, whose team opened the year Tuesday against Madison East. “We have a lot of players with similar qualities who will push each other for playing time, and we have a handful of multi-sport athletes who are juggling their schedules.

The high temperature last Monday was 40 degrees.

The wind gusted up to 20 miles an hour and there was cloud cover throughout the day.

To most people, it was another miserable April day in Wisconsin.

For Brittany Carl and Middleton’s girls softball team, it was heaven.

“We’ve waited almost two years to play ball again as the Middleton Cardinals,” Carl said. “Now we’re back and the feeling is indescribable.”

That’s for sure.

Carl was hired before the 2020 season began, then never had a chance to coach that team after COVID-19 led to the cancelation of all spring sports last year.

Carl, a former standout at Seton Hall, was giddy about landing her first head coaching job. Now, after waiting nearly two years to coach her first game, the excitement level for the 2021 season is off the charts.

Karsen Dettman knows a thing or two about success at state.

As a sophomore at Middleton High School, Dettman teamed up with Maddie Clark and finished second in the WIAA Division 1 individual state doubles tournament.

Noor Rajpal has also experienced her share of highs at state. As a junior at MHS, Rajpal and teammate Jessica Pientka reached the round of 16 at the state doubles tournament.

Rajpal and Dettman — who are both seniors now — became doubles partners this season. And to the surprise on no one, the Cardinals’ duo had a year to remember.

Dettman and Rajpal capped their year by finishing third in doubles play at the alternate-fall state meet held April 22-23 at Lake Geneva Tennis Club.

“We’ve known each other for a long time and so naturally we have a lot of chemistry not only as friends, but as doubles partners,” Rajpal said. “Overall Karsen and I are happy with third place. However, we would loved to have won the whole thing.”

It’s been said that first impressions are often the most lasting.

If that’s the case, big things could certainly be in store for Middleton’s boys golf team this spring.

The Cardinals went to the 36-team Sheboygan North Invitational last Thursday and Friday and finished second overall.

Kettle Moraine won the event with a two-day score of 610. Middleton was second at 618, while Mequon Homestead (625), Milwaukee Marquette (661) and Waunakee (663) rounded out the top five.

“We had a great two days,” Middleton coach Tom Cabalka said afterwards. “Our young guys showed some great maturity, poise and confidence, and the ability to play under pressure in tournament play.”

The opening round of the tournament was played at Blackwolf Run’s Meadow Valley Course in Kohler, while the second round was at the Irish Course at Whistling Straits.

The postseason is almost here for the alternate-fall girls golfers.

And by the looks of it, Middleton will be extremely tough to slow down.

The Cardinals cruised to first place at the Sheboygan North Quad last Thursday and Friday. Middleton shot a two-day score of 627, which easily outdistanced runner-up Bay Port (654).

The opening round of the tournament was played at Blackwolf Run’s Meadow Valley Course in Kohler, while the second round was at the Irish Course at Whistling Straits.

“To say I am proud of the girls' play would be an understatement,” Middleton coach Becky Halverson said. “It was a great opportunity to be able to golf some top-notch courses and to be right in it with some of the best boys and girls golf teams in the state.”

There were 36 boys teams and four girls team at the star-studded event.

The postseason is almost here for the alternate-fall cross country runners.

And Middleton’s girls’ team appears to be peaking at the perfect time.

The Cardinals rolled to a first-place finish at the Middleton Invite last Saturday.

Middleton finished with 23 points to easily outdistance runner-up Sun Prairie (53). Verona (63), Janesville Parker (inc.) and Beloit Memorial (inc.) rounded out the field.

Middleton will now host a sectional on Saturday.

“It was a beautiful day to run on our home course,” said Middleton assistant coach Kelly Kallien, who’s taken the reigns with head coach Alexa Richardson on maternity leave. “The Middleton Invite, which was the last meet for our JV runners this season, ended with most of the athletes achieving a personal record and a win for both the JV and the varsity teams. A coach can't ask for much better!”

Kallien also couldn't have asked for more from Elizabeth Schwartz.

Brian Finnel has been waiting for this moment.

The day when his Middleton cross country team was healthy. The time when his Cardinals were in peak form.

And the time MHS won a major invite.

That time came last Saturday, when Middleton won its own invitational with 36 points. Sun Prairie was close second with 39 points, followed by Verona (63), Janesville Parker (114), Milton (146) and Beloit Memorial (164).

“It's so fun when things come together and guys race up to their potential,” Finnel said. “That's the beauty of seeing the day-to-day operations, you get great glimpses of what the boys can do.

“I felt we were physically and mentally ready on Saturday. Not to mention, there was an awesome atmosphere and energy that really enhanced the day, too. Honestly, you could not have asked for a better day weather wise and for footing.”

So much remains uncertain.

So much is undecided.

Middleton boys soccer coach Kevin Pauls heads to his postseason seeding meeting this week. And Pauls and the Cardinals remain unsure how things will play out.

Middleton’s regional includes Verona, Waunakee, Madison Memorial and La Crosse Central. The Cardinals still play Verona and Waunakee, and Madison Memorial hasn't decided if it will even be playing in the postseason.

So, predicting the sectional seeding is certainly tough.

For now, all the Cardinals can do is try to keep winning. And that was a mixed bag last week.

Middleton rolled past Janesville Craig, 7-1, on April 20. The Cardinals also fell to Monona Grove, 4-2, on April 24.

If there’s one school Middleton’s football team dislikes more than any other, one team they would pick to defeat, it would be Verona.

“100%. 100%. No doubt about it,” Cardinals safety/running back Quinn Calvin said. “It’s Verona more than Sun Prairie, more than anybody.”

“To me it’s personal. Outside of school, they think they're the best and they’re not. They’re always talking, online chats and stuff, talking smack all the time. Thinking they’re better than everybody when they’re not. It’s been like that since fourth grade. We can’t stand Verona.”

Which is why Friday was so painful for the Cardinals.

Middleton led virtually the entire night. But Verona took its first lead of the game with less than two minutes remaining, then held on for a 28-21 win at Otto Breitenbach Stadium.

Middleton fell to 3-2 in this alternate-fall season, while the Wildcats improved to 2-3.