April 2014

Tue
08
Apr
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Girls soccer team has great expectations

Mary Duffy has been an integral part of Middleton’s soccer program for nine years now.

Duffy has seen the Cardinals reach the state tournament four times — including last spring. And she saw Middleton win a state championship in 2006.

So when Duffy was asked if the 2014 Cardinals could be the best outfit she’s been around, her answer is certainly telling.

“Yes,” said Duffy, who’s beginning her fourth season as the Cardinals’ head coach after serving five as an assistant. “Both (assistant) coach (Cathy) Patton and I believe this team is extremely talented and has a great attitude, work ethic, and team chemistry. 

“I think this is the best gathering of talented girls that I can remember.  They have good technical skill, and tactically, I hope we will be able to get into possession soccer sooner than we did last year to help us improve our game even quicker.

Tue
08
Apr
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Baseball Cards capture opener

As far as first impressions go, this one was ideal.

Middleton’s baseball team opened its season Saturday with an 8-1 win over Monona Grove.

“Very pleased with how things went,” Middleton manager Tom Schmitt said.

With good reason.

Middleton used four pitchers and allowed just four hits. Kasey Miller, the Cardinals’ second pitcher of the game, earned the win.

Garrett Knudtson started the game, was extremely sharp, and was slated to pitch in Middleton’s Big Eight Conference opener against Madison Memorial Tuesday.

Miller threw the next two innings, and according to Schmitt “had good velocity and was in command.”

Matt Ash worked the fifth and sixth innings and threw his off-speed pitches for strikes. And Hayden Denson worked a perfect seventh inning.

Tue
08
Apr
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Girls track team shines

Last Saturday marked a wild day for Middleton’s girls track and field team.

The Cardinals sent most of their squad to the WTFA State Indoor Championships held at UW-Whitewater. There, the Cardinals finished in a 17th place tie among 49 teams.

Middleton also sent many of its athletes to the Whitewater Indoor Invitational, where it finished fifth.

“TFA was an absolutely amazing track meet that truly showed lots of great talent from across the state and all three divisions,” Middleton coach Tara Franklin said. “We did get to take part in some of the excitement as well.”

That’s for sure.

Middleton’s Sam Valentine finished seventh in the 1,600 meter run (5:11.19), while Delaney Foster was 19th in the same event (5:26.68).

“Sam Valentine and Delaney Foster ran extremely well in the final and fastest heat of this race,” Franklin said. “Rarely do you see so many girls running this well so early in the season, but we did.”

Tue
08
Apr
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Boys track team tearing it up

Isaac Mezera examined all the results.

He crunched the numbers and inspected the data.

Then Middleton’s boys track and field coach came to the only solution possible.

“Saturday was a great day for the boys track program,” Mezera said.

And how.

Middleton brought the majority of its team to the power-packed Madison West Relays and finished fourth among 22 star-studded teams. The Cardinals also brought several athletes to the Watertown Invite, where Middleton finished second among 10 teams.

“When we got back to Middleton from the meet I told the guys we might just be a stronger team than last season,” said Mezera, whose team won the Big Eight Conference title a year ago. “That carries some pressure and expectations, but I think the guys are hungry for that.”

The Cardinals looked hungry at the West Relays, a meet featuring several of the state’s top programs. And Middleton showed it certainly belonged among the elite.

Wed
02
Apr
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Hellenbrand hopes to lift softball program

Ahhh, spring break.

Vacations centered around beaches, amusement parks, late nights and sleeping in.

This might be how many Middleton High School students spent last week. For Middleton’s girls softball team, it was the polar opposite.

Middleton’s players were up bright and early for a 90-minute practice. There were two-hour practices in the afternoon. And in between, there was an hour of classroom time.

Middleton head coach Cherie Hellenbrand returned this season after stepping down three years ago. And Hellenbrand has a rather simple philosophy.

“I want to be good. I don’t want to (stink),” Hellenbrand said. “And if we don’t put in the work, we’re going to (stink).”

The Cardinals have definitely experienced a fall from grace since Hellenbrand stepped down.

Middleton went 28-35 over the last three seasons, including a 25-28 mark in the Big Eight Conference.

Wed
02
Apr
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Baseball Cards aiming for the top

 

Tom Schmitt wasn’t messing around.

Middleton’s veteran baseball manager gathered his team during one of their first practices of the season. And Schmitt delivered a rather simple message.

“I told them right off the bat that I’m tired of finishing second,” Schmitt said.

Middleton has been one of the state’s elite programs for two decades now. But Sun Prairie has been the class of the Big Eight Conference in recent seasons. Sun Prairie has won three straight league titles — including back-to-back WIAA Division 1 state titles.

Sun Prairie began this season ranked No. 1 in the state by wissports.net. But Middleton, which is ranked No. 11 and picked for third in the Big Eight, believes it has the talent to pass Sun Prairie this spring.

Wed
02
Apr
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Acker, Tanin named to WFCA All-Star Game

Hayden Acker knows all too well about Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

Middleton’s senior football standout had three operations at Children’s between the ages of 12 and 16.

So you can understand Acker’s elation when he was recently named to the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Star Game. Middleton senior linebacker Elliot Tanin was also selected for the game.

The game will be held July 19 at UW-Oshkosh’s Titan Stadium.

The WFCA All-Star Game benefits the patient care programs at Children’s Hospital. And Acker was thrilled to receive an invite to the game, as well as do his part to give back to Children’s.

“When I got the letter saying that I had been selected for the all star game, I was elated,” said Acker, an all-Big Eight Conference offensive lineman last season. “I called my dad immediately and told him. It’s such a great honor and I’m excited to represent Middleton.”

Wed
02
Apr
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Girls track team shows promise

Just wait.

That’s the vive coming from Middleton’s girls track and field team right about now.

The Cardinals had an impressive performance at the Watertown Relays last Saturday and finished tied for third overall. Making the accomplishment even more exciting was Middleton competed without several athletes that were away for spring break.

Slinger won the 10-team event with 93 points, while Kettle Moraine (87), Middleton and Watertown (70.5 each) and Arrowhead (62) rounded out the top five.

“Not too bad considering spring break took many of our kids away,” Middleton coach Tara Franklin said. “We were able to have some new faces to the team competing in this meet, which helps us see what kind of contributions they will be able to make throughout the season.”

Wed
02
Apr
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Boys track team 2nd at Watertown

Isaac Mezera has been anxiously awaiting for his team to return to full strength.

In the interim, Middleton’s boys track and field coach is finding out just how deep and gifted his squad is.

The Cardinals have been shorthanded at the start of the season because of spring break. But Middleton has still performed admirably, including a second place finish at last Saturday’s eight-team Watertown Relays.

Watertown won the event with 100.5 points, while Middleton (98.5), Slinger (95), Arrowhead (57) and Shawano (56) rounded out the top five.

“In the end, the meet was an opportunity for us to see what some more guys could do,” Mezera said. “I was especially impressed with our sprinters at this meet. That and the versatility of the team. When I ask guys to try a different event out, they are happy to.” 

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