Sports

The best team in the Home Talent League’s regular season took step one towards becoming the best team of the second season.

Middleton, which went undefeated during the regular season, rolled past Black Earth, 9-0, in the first round of the HTL playoffs Sunday.

The top-seeded 29ers improved to 13-0 on the year, while the eighth-seeded Bombers ended the year 2-11.

Middleton will now host fourth-seeded Cross Plains (7-6) in the Northern Section semifinals Sunday at 1 p.m.

Brady Schmitt and Drew Farrell combined on a four-hitter to lead Middleton.

Schmitt pitched the first seven innings and picked up the win. Schmitt gave up four hits, struck out six, walked two and threw strikes on 59 of his 91 pitches (64.8%).

Farrell then threw two scoreless innings and didn’t allow a hit. Farrell also struck out three, didn't walk a batter and threw strikes on 19 of his 25 pitches (76.0%).

CROSS PLAINS — On a hot, sweltering summer Sunday, Devin Romine was as cool as a cucumber.

With temperatures pushing 90 degrees, the Cross Plains right hander tossed six innings of no-hit ball against visiting Sauk Prairie in the quarterfinals of the Home Talent League’s Northern Section playoffs.

Romine’s gem — and an offense that came to life in the later innings — helped the Businessmen post an 11-2 win over visiting Sauk Prairie.

“Devin was outstanding today,” Cross Plains manager Randy Meinholz said. “Every time I call on him, he has amazed me. We’re very fortunate that he’s pitched the way he has for us this year. He has been a force.”

Romine worked seven innings to pick up the win, allowing two hits and five baserunners while striking out six.

Cross Plains improved to 7-6 and will travel to Ashton (11-2) for a Northern Section semifinal game Sunday at 1 p.m.

Middleton’s boys and girls swimming teams enjoyed sensational seasons, with both winning WIAA Division 1 state championships.

The Cardinals were then justly rewarded at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (WISCA) annual banquet recently.

Middleton’s Wes Lagerhausen was named the boys Division 1 Coach of the Year for the third consecutive year.

The Cardinals’ R.J. Leiferman was named the girls Division 1 Coach of the Year.

And Middleton standout junior Sam Wolf was named the boys Division 1 swimmer of the year.

“Receiving the awards speaks volumes towards how we operate, what our expectations are and the results we are able to achieve as swim and dive programs,” Lagerhausen said. “I am not sure when the last time a school won both, but I would assume it is pretty rare.”

Lagerhausen guided Middleton to a third straight state title on Feb. 22.

ASHTON — Many would agree that there was no better place to be on Sunday than watching a Home Talent League game at the local ‘Field of Dreams.’

The two best teams in the Northern Section — Middleton and Ashton — went head-to-head for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

There was certainly a lot of offense, as both teams combined to amass 16 runs, 23 hits and four home runs. The visiting Middleton 29ers had the edge where it mattered most, though.

First baseman Alden Cleary blasted a three-run home run and was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle, while left fielder Drew Farrell came on in relief to slam the door and spark Middleton to a thrilling 10-6 victory over the host Ashton A’s on Fan Appreciation Day.

“This was a game we had marked when the calendar came out,” said Cleary, who finished with three hits. “We knew it was going to be a big game. They have great fans, and it’s a fun place to play.”

Middleton’s girls sports programs have been some of the best in the state for years now.

And that certainly didn’t change during the 2024-‘25 school year.

Middleton’s girls swimming team won a state title. The Cardinals’ girls golfers were third at state.

And several teams won Big Eight Conference titles behind memorable performances from a bevy of standout athletes.

That made picking Middleton’s ‘Best of the Best’ as hard as ever.

Last week, we picked the top performances on the boys side. This week, we’ll award the top girls.

Team of the Year

Girls swimming

Middleton’s girls swimming and diving team had to feel pretty good about themselves as they walked out of the Waukesha South Natatorium in Nov., 2023.

Middleton’s boys ultimate frisbee team capped off a memorable season with a dramatic 12-11 victory over longtime rival Madison West in the state championship game last month. This was the fourth straight year the two teams met in the final, with Middleton capturing the last two state titles.

Middleton led by as many as four in the second half, but Madison West mounted a furious comeback to tie the game, 11-11, forcing a universe point finale. The final possession was a showcase of composure and teamwork, culminating in a pass from Evan Natzke to Turner Booth for his sixth goal of the game and Middleton’s second consecutive state title.

Another week.

Another dominant win.

Middleton’s Home Talent League team moved to a perfect 11-0 with a 7-0 blanking of visiting Waunakee on Sunday.

Brady Schmitt threw eight scoreless innings to earn the win, while Drew Farrell pitched the ninth.

Schmitt struck out six, walked just one, and gave up six hits. Schmitt also threw strikes on 76 of 107 pitches (71.0%).

Farrell then threw a perfect ninth, striking out one.

Easton Zempel had a big day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored. Farrell also went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while Hayden Hellenbrand went 2-for-4 and scored two runs and Alden Cleary went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

“Brady pitched fantastic and got some great defense behind him,” Middleton player/manager Jacob Ross said. “Easton (Hellenbrand), Hunter (Bindl), Alden (Cleary) and Nolan (Smith) all made great defensive plays.

Middleton’s boys sports programs have been some of the best in the state for years now.

And that certainly didn’t change during the 2024-‘25 school year.

Middleton’s boys soccer team and boys swimming teams won state titles. The boys volleyball team reached the state finals, while several individuals either won — or challenged for — state titles.

That made picking Middleton’s ‘Best of the Best’ harder than ever this year. But we’ll give it our best shot.

This week, we’ll honor the boys, and next week we’ll award the girls.

Team of the Year

Soccer

Eight returning starters.

A sensational 16-person senior class.

And a state championship already in tow.

Résumés like these don’t appear often.

Bo Derek.

A flawless gymnast.

And Middleton’s Home Talent League team.
What’s the common thread with all three of these?

They’re all perfect 10s.

The 29ers continued their tremendous HTL season with a pair of wins last weekend and moved to 10-0 overall.

Middleton defeated host Black Earth, 3-0, on July 3. The visiting 29ers then routed Reedsburg, 10-1, on Sunday.

Middleton holds a one-game lead over Ashton (9-1) in the Northern Section’s East Division. And overall this season, the 29ers have outscored their opponents by a collective score of 78-13.

“It was a good weekend beating two tough teams on the road,” Middleton player/manager Jacob Ross said.

In the 29ers’ win over Black Earth, Drew Farrell threw a complete game, five-hit shutout. Farrell struck out seven, didn’t walk a batter and threw strikes on 75 of 105 pitches (71.4%).

There are certain things that have always held true.

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

Food, water and shelter are fundamental and unchanging basic human needs.

And the WIAA has always moved at a snail’s pace, alienating many of its members along the way.

That was the case again last week as the WIAA’s Advisory Council voted down recommendations from its basketball coaches to implement the shot clock and expand the number of state tournament qualifiers to eight in all five divisions.

Recommendations that earned majority vote from the Advisory Council advanced to the WIAA Board of Control for another vote. Then, the recommendations that received majority vote from the Board of Control would have been implemented for the 2025-26 season.

With a majority of coaches in favor of both a shot clock and state tournament expansion, many were both frustrated and exasperated by the WIAA’s decision.