Sports

The weather has made it tough for boys basketball teams around the area to get into any type of rhythm.

You'd think it would be similar for Middleton, which played just four games in the first five weeks of the season due to weather related cancellations.

But the scoreboard continues to tell a different story.

The latest example came on Dec. 20, when the Cardinals routed visiting Madison West, 77-34. Middleton senior guard Gavyn Hurley had an enormous game with 30 points and seven steals, just one steal off the school record held by Tyree Eady.

The Cardinals improved to 5-0 overall and 5-0 in the Big Eight Conference.

Predictably, Middleton’s scheduled game with Madison La Follette two days later was postponed due to inclement weather.

“They just want to play,” Middleton coach Kevin Bavery said. “It's a long stretch from our first day together on November 14th to December 20th with only four games in.

Middleton’s boys swimming and diving team cruised to a first place finish at the Beloit Memorial Triangular on Dec. 20.

The Cardinals downed Sun Prairie West, 128-42. And Middleton bested the host Purple Knights, 135-30.

“The meet was a fun one,” Middleton coach Wes Lagerhausen said. “We mixed up our events and relays to try some new things and they raced hard. We had close races in the 200 medley relay, 100 freestyle, and 400 freestyle relay. Many achieved best times for the season and is a great trend going into winter break.”

Middleton’s 200-yard medley relay team of Theo Wolf, Nick Chirafisi, Jack Madoch and Jack Madigan finished first. The Cardinals also got a second place finish from the quartet of Max Carter, Sam Wolf, Caden Van Buren and Ben Cutler Heiderscheit.

Middleton’s foursome of Cowan Vitense, Luke Lamers, Jackson Esteves and Van Buren won the 200-yard freestyle relay.

Middleton’s girls gymnastics team kicked off its season in style, edging Madison Memorial, 125.650-125.5250 on Dec. 20.

“I am very pleased with how my girls performed, especially considering it was their first competition of the season,” Middleton coach Alexis Lindahl said. “The girls were nervous, of course, and there were a few errors made on each event, but ultimately we came out on top.”

Middleton’s Abby Arnold won the all-around competition, with a score of 31.450. Ana Bollig was second (31.40) and Eva Szczepanski was third (30.650).

Aubrey Anderson and Bollig tied for second on the vault (8.50), while Bollig was Abby Arnold  was fifth and Szczepanski was eighth (8.0).

Kenavan Lindner won the uneven bars (8.00), while Arnold was sixth (6.950), Bollig was seventh (6.90) and Szczepanski was 10^th (6.350).

Middleton’s hockey team entered the Christmas break on a high, rolling to a 4-1 win over Madison West on Dec. 20.

Four different Cardinals scored goals and Cam Haynes made 22 saves to pick up the win in net.

Middleton improved to 7-2 overall and is 4-1 in the Big Eight Conference.

Cam Semrad struck first for the Cardinals, scoring midway through the first period on an assist from Avery Passini to give Middleton a 1-0 lead. Then with just 22 seconds left in the period, Brady Engelkes scored on assists from Wyatt Ehrhardt and Semrad to make it 2-0.

Ehrhardt struck for a goal less than two minutes into the second period to make it 3-0. Both Drew Sjowall and Engelkes assisted on the goal.

Then late in the second period, Eli Covey had a power play goal that both Engelkes and Ehrhardt assisted on to make it 4-0.

West had the lone goal in the third period to round out the scoring.

They were hoping for much different outcomes.

But Middleton’s hockey team learned one thing last week — they can play with anyone and everyone.

The Cardinals dropped a 3-2, double overtime game to Verona on Dec. 13. The Wildcats have won six straight Big Eight Conference titles.

And Middleton fell to visiting Madison Edgewood, 5-4, last Saturday. The Crusaders were a WIAA Division 1 state qualifier in 2022.

The Cardinals fell to 6-2 overall and are 3-1 in the Big Eight.

“Last week didn’t go the way that we wanted it to, but I thought there were some good takeaways and developmental opportunities as we go forward,” Middleton coach Dan Truehl said. “Verona and Edgewood have been the teams to beat in our conference and sectional for quite some time, so any time you get a chance to play them, you have to relish the opportunity. We’re close, but we’ve got to find a way to get over the hump when playing this caliber of teams.”

Madison West is building a new swimming pool — and will retire its current one after this season.

Before the Regents move to their new digs, Middleton paid one final visit to Madison West. And the Cardinals made it a memorable trip.

Middleton broke three pool records and toppled the Regents, 93-77, last Friday in a meet that could go a long way in determining the eventual Big Eight Conference champion.

“With this being our last time at this pool before a new one is built, it was cool to leave a final mark on the record board for Middleton,” Cardinals coach Wes Lagerhausen said.

Middleton’s record-setting performances came in the following events:

• Senior Jack Madoch won the 50-yard freestyle in 20.80 seconds.

• Freshman Sam Wolf won the 200-yard individual medley in 1:54.48.

• And Middleton’s 400-yard freestyle relay team of Max Carter, Nick Chirafisi, Madoch and Wolf finished first in 3:10.93.

It was quick.

It was explosive.

And it was painful — for Janesville Parker.

Middleton’s boys basketball team smacked host Parker with a 26-3 run over an 8 ½-minute stretch late in the first half last Saturday. That burst gave the Cardinals a 40-13 lead at the break and they went on to a relatively easy 68-46 win.

Middleton improved to 4-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big Eight Conference.

“We have the ability to score in a variety of ways,” Middleton coach Kevin Bavery said. “Transition, getting to the rim in the half court, post play, and the 3-point shot.

“The key to any successful team is stringing together defensive stops. This was probably our best stretch of that combination so far in this early season. One of my assistants said 'Defense always travels', and that's so true. It was the key for us in a place that's always tough to play in.”

Middleton’s boys hockey team hasn’t cracked the Wisconsin Prep Hockey rankings yet.

But if the Cardinals keep playing like they have to start the season, it won’t be long.

Middleton improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big Eight Conference last week.

The Cardinals defeated host Sun Prairie 4-3, on Dec. 8. Middleton cruised past visiting Janesville, 7-1, on Dec. 6.

And earlier in conference play, Middleton rolled by Madison Memorial, 11-2, on Dec. 1.

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ recent wins and their fast start to the 2022-23 season.

• Middleton 4, Sun Prairie 3 — Wyatt Ehrhardt had a pair of goals to power Middleton in a battle of Big Eight Conference powers. Drew Sjowall and Brady Engelkes also had goals for Middleton.

Even in the best of times, trips to Madison East aren’t much fun.

The Purgolders typically have a loaded roster. Their gym is compact. The fans are passionate and boisterous.

But there might not be a while lot that can slow the train known as Middleton’s boys basketball team this season. Certainly not a trip over to East.

The Cardinals, ranked No. 4 in the latest Wissports.net poll, went to East on Dec. 6, and hammered the Purgolders, 81-53. It was Middleton’s largest win at East in at least 20 years.

The Cardinals improved to 3-0 overall and in the Big Eight Conference. East is now 2-2, 2-1.

“We have to continue to evolve and stay ‘Team First’ as teams scout more and more and try to come up with ways to keep the ball out of the lane against us,” Middleton coach Kevin Bavery said. “We’re pleased early on, but have a long, long ways to go.”

Alexis Lindahl thought her gymnastics days might be over.

The one-time Kenosha-standout dabbled in college while she went to college. But the COVID season — and Lindahl’s passion for teaching — had her thinking gymnastics might be in the rearview mirror.

Not so fast.

Lindahl spent last season as an assistant coach at Middleton High School. And when the varsity job opened this past offseason, Lindahl attacked it the way she once would a floor routine.

Thus starts a new chapter in the long and storied history of Middleton gymnastics. And Lindahl hopes she can help add some new pages to what’s been a terrific story.

“I’m super excited,” Lindahl said of taking over the program.

Middleton is just excited to have Lindahl running the show.

Lindahl was a highly successful club gymnast as a youth in Kenosha. During that time, she won three state all-around titles and competed in the regional competition in South Dakota.