October 2018

VERONA — Let’s get one thing straight.

Until further notice, the word “rebuilding” should not be used when talking about Middleton’s girls golf program.

“Maybe readjusting,” said junior standout Kate Meier.

How about reloading, restocking or replenishing?

Middleton lost three players from its 2017 team that finished eighth at state. With little experience and several questions, expectations were certainly tempered for the 2018 Cardinals.

Late Tuesday afternoon, though, Meier walked around University Ridge Golf Course clutching the WIAA Division 1 runner-up trophy like a mother holding a newborn. The Cardinals took more pictures than some weddings photographers do. And Middleton’s golfers made a human pyramid, then were welcomed back to town with a firetruck escort.

The Cardinals capped one of their most surprising and rewarding seasons in recent memory with a second-place finish at the state tournament.

Ben White deflected the credit to others.

That’s what great leaders do.

But when word spread that White notched his 400^th career win last week, several Middleton alumni quickly turned the acclaim back on the Cardinals’ ultra-successful boys’ volleyball coach.

“He was a joy to play for and be around and has impacted everyone that has come through the program in a positive way,” former Middleton standout Connor Zimmick said.

Thomas Robson, a first-team all-state libero in 2017, felt the same.

“He has a passion and a drive to make each and every kid that goes through that program better,” Robson said of White. “It is never a rebuilding year for him he always finds a way to light a fire under each grade to create this fight that allows the program to be one of the best in the state.”

White has certainly made the Cardinals one of the state’s elite programs.

MIDDLETON–Intercontinental Hotels Group, which owns Holiday Inn, is proposing a 95 room mid-tier hotel at 2350 Deming Way. Developer for the project Luke Stauffacher says despite the 10 hotels already in the area there is an underserved demand for affordable, clean rooms. The developer was looking for feedback from the plan commission which gave positive sentiments but also suggested a few changes.  

Architect for the project from the Knothe & Bruce firm’s Greg Held and Stauffacher introduced the proposal to the plan commission and explained the concept behind Intercontinental’s new brand, Avid Hotels.

Stauffacher said the idea is to target people looking for a clean room with minimal amenities and a lower price than premium hotels. He said over the last 15 years the gap between cheaper hotels and luxury hotels has grown further apart.

On two occasions this season, Middleton led a Big Eight Conference power at halftime.

Both times, the Cardinals squandered those leads.

On Sept. 28, Middleton took care of business.

The host Cardinals led Big Eight Conference co-leader Sun Prairie, 13-7, last Friday. Middleton then outscored Janesville Craig, 29-0, in the second half and cruised to an impressive 42-7 Big Eight Conference victory on Senior Night at Otto Breitenbach Stadium.