October 2019

Sun
27
Oct
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MHS Students Segregated for Star Test

MIDDLETON–A Middleton High School (MHS) employee was placed on leave last week after allegations that students had been segregated by race to take the standardized Star Literacy and Math Test, which is administered Oct. 14-24.

Middleton Cross Palins Area School District (MCPASD) Director of Communications Perry Hibner said, “STAR testing takes place between Oct. 14-25. MHS was trying to get some of the students who have poor attendance during advisory when STAR-testing can be administered to come to all-school resource on Wednesday afternoon from 2:15 to 3:40 to take the testing. That was the intent.”

Initially only 10-15 students were scheduled to take the test during this time, but a larger number was added. Students were informed of the change through the district’s online scheduling program. Not all students went to the library.

Hibner went on to say that all of the students asked to come to all-school resource were black, Latino and mixed race. 

Thu
24
Oct
Thu
24
Oct
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Middleton's boys run to a title

The challenge was immense.

Middleton’s boys cross country team was gunning for its third straight Big Eight Conference title last Saturday without two of its top runners.

Amazingly, the Cardinals passed this most difficult of tests.

Middleton won the league title with 46 points, just ahead of runner-up Madison La Follette (50) and third place Madison West (58) in a race held at Rockport Park in Janesville.

“It was quite a whirlwind and a very big challenge for the three-peat,” Middleton coach Brian Fennel said. “It was a big team effort and I'm very proud of the boys for this win. They definitely rose to the occasion for today.

“While the times don't reflect it, I thought this was our best team race of the season. We finally beat West and La Follette, who we hadn't beat all year. In many ways I think this is a huge confidence boost for the team and I hope we can carry this momentum moving forward.

Thu
24
Oct
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Pansegrau, MHS shine at Big 8 meet

Middleton super sophomore Lauren Pansegrau was the fastest girl at the Big Eight Conference cross country meet.

The Cardinals were also the fastest team in the league.

So it all added up for a memorable day for Middleton last Saturday.

The Cardinals finished with 41 points and edged Madison West (44) for the title. Pansegrau also won the individual title, completing the 5,000-meter course in 18 minutes, 5 seconds and nipping Madison West sophomore Genevieve Nashold by 10 seconds.

“It was an incredibly exciting race to watch,” Middleton coach Alexa Richardson said. “The girls were confident going into the race, knowing the work they have put in this season has all been worth it. They focused on bettering themselves rather than dwelling on other athletes performances.”

It paid off.

While Pansegrau was the show stealer, Middleton had several other stellar performances on its way to a title.

Thu
24
Oct
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Football Cardinals rout La Follette

Middleton football coach Jason Pertzborn was in a celebratory mood last Friday night.

And for good reason.

Pertzborn had just watched his Cardinals dismantle visiting Madison La Follette, 49-21, in their Big Eight Conference regular season finale. It was Middleton’s fifth straight win and helped the Cardinals land a home game in the first round of the WIAA Division 1 playoffs Friday.

“We’re healthy right now and we’re playing good football,” said Pertzborn, who performed a perfect cartwheel for his troops after the game. “And, when we take care of the ball, we’re a solid team.”

The Cardinals finished the regular season at 7-2 overall and in the Big Eight and settled for a share of second-place in the league with Verona. La Follette (6-3, 6-3) dropped into a fourth-place tie with Sun Prairie.

Thu
24
Oct
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Football Cards receive No. 4 seed

Beat a team one week.

Then turn around and beat them seven days later.

That’s the task Middleton’s football team has been given.

The Cardinals routed Madison La Follette, 49-21, in their regular season finale last Friday. Now the two teams will meet again Friday at 7 p.m. in the first round of the WIAA Division 1 playoffs. Middleton (7-2) received the No. 4 seed and the Lancers (6-3) are seeded fifth.

“You have to remember last week counts for nothing,” Middleton coach Jason Pertzborn said. “They don't spot us with the lead because of it. 

“They will make a lot of adjustments I'm sure, and we need to be sound in what we do. If you take things for granted that's when you get in trouble. When you understand the urgency of the postseason you get focused and get ready and you find a way to win.”

Thu
24
Oct
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Soccer Cardinals hoping to surprise

Dangerous.

A sleeper.

The team no one wants to play.

Middleton’s boys soccer team hopes this is the perfect description for them this postseason.

The Cardinals received the No. 5 seed in their sectional and opened the postseason Tuesday against 12th seeded Madison La Follette in a WIAA Division 1 regional semifinal. Middleton defeated the Lancers, 6-0, on Oct. 15.

If the Cardinals top La Follette again, they would meet either fourth-seeded Oconomowoc or 13th-seeded Badger in a regional final Saturday. The sectional semifinals are Oct. 31 and the sectional finals are Nov. 2.

“It is always difficult beating a team twice,” Middleton coach Ben Kollasch said. “La Follette is not a pushover team. They have some players that can be dangerous and we got a bit lucky to get as many goals against them as we did.

Thu
24
Oct
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Pientka, Rajpal shine at state

MADISON — They enjoyed a sensational year — both individually and with their team.

They went farther than they’ve ever gone before.

And when it was over, they knew they’d created memories to last for years to come.

Middleton tennis standouts Jessica Pientka and Noor Rajpal won a pair of matches at the WIAA Division 1 individual state meet held at Nielsen Tennis Stadium last week. After reaching the Round of 16, though, the Cardinals’ doubles stars fell to a team from Whitefish Bay.

Pientka and Rajpal, who played at No. 1 in the lineup for the first time this season, finished the year 27-9 and advanced deeper at state than ever before.

“I would be satisfied if we go further than last year,” Pientka, a senior, said just prior to her third round match. “That would be great.”

Rajpal agreed.

“If we play our best and do better than last year, then yeah, I’ll be happy,” said Rajpal, a junior.

Thu
24
Oct
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Boys spikers earn No. 1 seed

The path appears extremely manageable.

Now, Middleton’s boys volleyball team is determined to take full advantage.

The Cardinals received the No. 1 seed in the Sun Prairie Sectional and will host eighth-seeded Madison East Friday at 6 p.m. in a regional semifinal. If Middleton wins there, it would host either fourth-seeded Madison West or fifth-seeded Waukesha North Tuesday at 7 p.m. in a regional final.

The sectional is Nov. 2 at 4:30 in Sun Prairie.

“While we have had success this year against many teams in our sectional, we understand the playoffs are a whole new season,” said Middleton interim coach Justin Haack, whose Cardinals are 32-5 overall. “Nothing is given to you except that first match.

“We want to make the season as long as possible, and in order to do that, we must continue to improve and focus on one practice and one match at a time. We're looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Wed
23
Oct
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Middleton's Van Buren chooses Loyola

The process began in the summer of 2018.

Schools came from the corners of both coasts — and everywhere in between. And when it was over, Parker Van Buren smiled — then breathed a giant sigh of relief.

Van Buren, arguably the finest boys volleyball player in the history of Middleton High School, gave his verbal commitment to Loyola (Ill.) last week. That ended a 16-month recruiting process that the 6-foot-8 Van Buren admitted was exhausting at times.

“For me this felt like a long process,” Van Buren said. “It seemed like every week new coaches were contacting me, and it was super cool to get recognized.

“But this past summer, the pressure really started to amp up a little bit as many coaches were anxious to get me on a visit, and also for me to make a decision. I feel like I took the perfect amount of time to make my decision, because I enjoyed the process and I have no doubt I made the right decision.”

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