March 2013

Wed
13
Mar
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Middleton stays ahead of the curve

For nearly two decades now, the athletic programs at Middleton High School have been the envy of the Big Eight Conference — and most of the state, for that matter.

It’s one thing to be the best, though, and another to stay on top.

In an effort to remain a step ahead of the competition, Middleton hired Brad Rogeberg and Steve Myrland last fall as part-time strength and conditioning coaches. The duo has implemented fitness plans to enhance the performance and development of Middleton athletes in all sports.

“They’ve been a great combo,” Middleton athletic director Bob Joers said. “Everybody has worked together in-season and out of season, and at the end, it gives you a better athlete. It’s exciting, especially how it’s taken off.”

Middleton is the first school in the Big Eight to hire strength and conditioning coaches, and is one of just a handful in the state to have such a position inside its athletic department.

Wed
13
Mar
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Rongstad named first-team all-Big Eight

Derek Rongstad scored more points this season than any junior in the history of Middleton boys basketball.

Rongstad set team records for most three-pointers in a game (seven) and a season (56).

Even more amazing, Rongstad accomplished that despite missing three games.

So it was no surprise last week when Rongstad was named first-team all-Big Eight Conference. Middleton junior guard Luke Schafer was named third-team and junior forward Max Oelerich was named honorable-mention all-league.

“Look up ‘gym rat’ in the dictionary and there's Doc's picture,” Middleton coach Kevin Bavery said of Rongstad. “Sometimes you have to worry about whether someone is focusing on the wrong things or getting into a situation that might hurt more than help when it comes to offseason training and playing. But with Doc it all starts with a great work ethic as his foundation.”

Wed
13
Mar
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McMahon honored

Liz McMahon had a remarkable season for Middleton’s girls basketball team.

McMahon averaged a whopping 16.5 points per game, which was roughly one-third of the Cardinals’ total offense. McMahon also led Middleton in rebounding (9.8), steals (2.9) and shot 48.0% from the field.

So it was no surprise that McMahon — a junior forward — was named to the all-Big Eight Conference first-team last week. Middleton senior guard Shannon McCauley was also named honorable-mention all-conference.

“I was happy that Liz was recognized,” Middleton coach Jeff Kind said. “She had a very good year and is continuing to improve her all-around game. I look forward to having her come back next year as a leader with a great deal of varsity experience.”

McMahon was Middleton’s leading scorer as a sophomore, when the Cardinals reached the WIAA Division 1 state semifinals. And McMahon took her game to a new level this season.

Wed
13
Mar
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Middleton boys basketball team stacked for 2014

For weeks, they all echoed largely the same thoughts.

Nothing is guaranteed. Tomorrow promises you nothing. There are zero things in life owed to you.

For having such perspective, Middleton’s boys basketball team deserves a great deal of credit.

With that being said, though, everyone around the Cardinals understands that the 2013-’14 season could be a banner one.

Middleton will bring back its top three scorers from this year’s team that went 14-11 and reached a WIAA Division 1 sectional semifinal. The Cardinals figure to welcome back six of the top seven players from their rotation and 10 total players that saw quality minutes this winter.

While the Cardinals have tried to stay grounded when talking about next season, they also realize it could be one of the better seasons in recent memory.

Wed
13
Mar
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Future bright for hockey Cardinals

 

The fact it ended was tough enough.

But when Middleton’s hockey team was eliminated from the postseason after a so-so effort, it made the ending even tougher.

“Mixed emotions,” Middleton co-coach Steve Libert said. “Because you want to go out playing your best and we did not have a peak performance.”

Still, Middleton’s season was a huge success.

After immense graduation losses from a year ago, few knew what to expect from the 2012-’13 Cardinals. But Middleton exceeded most expectations.

The Cardinals went 18-6 overall and finished second in the Big Eight Conference at 11-3. Middleton reached the WIAA sectional finals, before falling to Madison Edgewood, 3-2, in double overtime.

“One fantastic aspect about this year’s team was the diverse interests that they brought together in the locker room,” Libert said. “They all had respect for one another’s interests.”

The Cardinals will take some hits in graduation.

Wed
13
Mar
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Bunz named first-team all-Big Eight

There isn’t much Jake Bunz didn’t do for Middleton’s hockey team this year.

Score. Defend. Lead.

Bunz did it all.

Therefore, he was an easy pick as a first-team all-Big Eight Conference defenseman.

In addition to Bunz, Middleton sophomore goalie Max McConnell, senior defenseman Ethan McLeod and junior forward Jordan Carey were all named honorable-mention all-league.

Bunz was a unanimous selection to the first team, and it’s easy to see why.

Bunz led Middleton in points (29), goals (17) and finished seventh in the conference in scoring. Bunz was the only defenseman in the league to finish in the top-10 in scoring.

Bunz also was a finalist for the Davis Drewskie award, given to the top defenseman in the state of Wisconsin.

“It was pretty obvious that Jake was the top defenseman in the conference,” Middleton coach Steve Libert said.

Tue
12
Mar
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Friday's, PDQ and Abuelo's Fail Alcohol Compliance Check

In March, the Middleton Police Department conducted another round of alcohol compliance checks. The purpose was to determine the degree to which licensed establishments complied with laws relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages to underage persons, according to police.  

The current round of 35 checks yielded a compliance rate of 85 percent. 


All licensed establishments in the City of Middleton were notified by letter that compliance checks would be conducted.  

Mon
11
Mar
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School Board Awards Building Bonds

The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School Board on Monday unanimously approved a resolution awarding the sale of $59.86 million general obligation school building bonds.

Proceeds of the bonds are to fund upcoming additions and renovations at Kromrey and Glacier Creek middle schools, projects that were approved by voter referendum in November of 2012.

The winning bid came from Piper Jaffrey & Co., based out of Minneapolis. The interest rate is 3.0957 percent, which equates to $27,222,548 in net interest costs over the life of the borrowing.

The vote came three days after Moody’s Investor Services applied a glowing Aaa rating to the district for the issuance. 

Middleton-Cross Plains is one of only five districts in the state to earn the maximum rating, which Moody’s attributed to a favorable location within the greater Madison economy, a growing population and robust general fund.

Mon
11
Mar
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It's Electric: ATC Line Activated

American Transmission Co. has energized the completed 32-mile, 345-kilovolt Rockdale-West Middleton Transmission Line.

The project was first introduced to the public in 2004, kicking off with a comprehensive outreach effort which included 22 public meetings attended by 3,300 people over three years. More than 2,600 written comments were submitted by stakeholders and included in the company’s application to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.

In 2009, after nearly two years of regulatory review, the PSC ordered a portion of the line to be built along the Beltline Highway.

Mon
11
Mar
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Crime Rate Dropped in 2012; Heroin Continues to 'Plague' City

The local crime rate hit its lowest point in more than a decade last year, with the Middleton Police Department (MIPD) reporting an FBI index of 2,754 crimes per 100,000 citizens.

However, chief of police Brad Keil said offenses linked to heroin continue to “plague” the Good Neighbor City.

Middleton’s crime rate in 2012 was lower than those of Madison, the United States, and Dane County, respectively. It was slightly higher than the State of Wisconsin’s rate of 2,695.

The local violent crime rate remained lower than those of Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, and the United States.

“We are very fortunate to experience a crime rate that is
 typically lower than National, State, and Dane County rates of crime,” wrote Keil in his introduction to the annual MIPD report. “Unfortunately, the use of heroin, and crimes being committed by 
users of heroin, continues to plague our community.”

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