September 2018

The most successful girls swimming and diving coach in the history of Middleton High School recently received one of the highest possible honors in her sport.

Lauren Cabalka, who has led Middleton to back-to-back WIAA Division 1 state championships, was selected by the Wisconsin Swimming and Diving Coaches Association as the recipient of the 2017-18 NFHS Coaches Association Coach of the Year Award for Wisconsin.

Annually, the NFHS identifies and recognizes a coach from each state for significant achievement in their sport. State level recipients are considered for NFHS Sectional recognition. National Coaches of the Year are then chosen from the sectional winners.

Award recipients are selected based upon a variety of criteria including their coaching record, background, coaching honors, and involvement in community and school organizations.

The softest part of Middleton’s schedule is over.

Now, the Cardinals face a Murderer’s Row to finish the season. And how Middleton fares in the final three games will go a long ways in determining whether its year is a smashing success or a disappointment.

The Cardinals rolled past host Janesville Parker, 46-0, on Sept. 21. Middleton improved to 4-2 overall and in the Big Eight Conference and sits in a tie for fourth place.

Madison Memorial, Sun Prairie and Janesville Craig are tied for the league lead at 5-1. Middleton and Verona are tied for fourth at 4-2.

Middleton has won two straight games, defeating Beloit Memorial (1-5) and Parker (0-6). But things are about to get much tougher, as the Cardinals host Janesville Craig Friday at 7 p.m., host Sun Prairie on Oct. 5 and travel to Madison La Follette (3-3) on Oct. 12.

Those three teams are a combined 15-5 (.750).

MILWAUKEE — Eight seniors had graduated from the winningest boys’ volleyball team in Middleton history.

Sure, the newcomers were talented. But Cardinals senior outside hitter Eagan Peters-Michaud figured a dropoff this fall was only natural.

“When the eight seniors left, we were kind of wondering how this would go,” Peters-Michaud said. “I kind of had more negative thoughts.”

Not anymore.

Middleton has been one of the state’s greatest surprises. And the Cardinals notched one of their biggest wins of the Ben White-era on Sept. 18.

Middleton went into Milwaukee Marquette High School — home of the defending state champions and a school that has won nine state titles since 2002 — and took it to the host Hilltoppers. Middleton overcame a rough second set and toppled Marquette, 25-21, 16-25, 25-20, 25-21.

Middleton also posted wins at the JV and freshman levels in what was a memorable night for the program.

Their first goal is in the rearview mirror.

Now, many other aspirations certainly seem achievable.

Middleton’s girls’ golf team won the Big Eight Conference regular season title on Sept. 12, rolling over the competition at the Beloit Memorial Quadrangular and wrapping up a perfect 9-0 league record. The Cardinals shot a 338 to easily outdistance runner-up Madison West (361). Janesville Craig was third at 378 and Beloit didn’t field a full team.

Middleton has now won the Big Eight all six years that Becky Halverson has been its coach. The Cardinals are a remarkable 53-0-1 in that time.

“With such a young team this year it means a lot to win regular season conference,” Middleton coach Becky Halverson said. “I’m so proud of these girls and all of their accomplishments already.”

Cardinals junior Kate Meier continued her terrific season by firing a team-low 80. Ellie Frisch notched an 85, Glenna Sanderson carded an 86 and Milanne Dahman shot an 87.