August 2020

Thu
27
Aug
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Boys XC team happy to have a season

Middleton boys cross country coach Brian Finnel is a “glass half full guy.”

Then again, Finnel’s cup has runneth over in recent years, as his Cardinals have won two of the last three WIAA Division 1 state championships.

When it comes to the wild and wacky year that’s been 2020, though, Finnel is trying to look on the bright side.

Middleton High School recently elected to push fall sports to the spring of 2021 due to concerns surrounding COVID-19. That means the Cardinals’ alternate season will now run from March 15-May 3.

Cross country was labeled a “low risk” sport by the WIAA, and many schools across the state are finding a way to practice social distancing and still have a season this fall. While that would have obviously been ideal, Finnel is just happy his team will have a chance to compete.

Thu
27
Aug
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Girls XC team has mixed emotions

Cross country teams all across the state began their new seasons last week.

Middleton girls coach Alexa Richardson, who guided the Cardinals to a fourth place at the WIAA Division 1 state meet last year, was anxiously awaiting the 2020 season. Middleton, which had just one senior in its lineup a year ago, was considered one of the frontrunners to win a state title this season.

For now, though, Richardson and her runners have hit a red light.

Middleton High School recently elected to push fall sports to the spring of 2021 due to concerns surrounding COVID-19. That means the Cardinals’ alternate season will now run from March 15-May 3.

While Richardson is happy to have a season, she’s not thrilled about waiting until March to gather with her team. Cross country was labeled a “low risk” sport by the WIAA, and many schools across the state are finding a way to practice social distancing and still have a season.

Thu
27
Aug
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Tennis Cards hope wait is worthwhile

It would have been easy for first-year Middleton girls tennis coach Matt Given to be bummed last week.

Across the state, several schools started tennis practice. By the weekend, there were dual meets, triangulars and quadrangulars everywhere you looked.

At Middleton High School?
Crickets.

But Given wasn’t complaining.

Middleton recently elected not to play sports this fall due to concerns surrounding COVID-19, and instead will try having a season in the spring. The Cardinals’ alternate season is scheduled to run from March 8 until April 26.

While waiting is the hardest part, Given believes the wait will be worthwhile.

“Honestly, we would love to be starting practice, but unfortunately due to circumstances out of our control we will just have to wait,” Given said. “Like I have told my girls and their parents, the overall safety of my athletes is the No. 1 priority.

Thu
20
Aug
Thu
20
Aug
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MHS must regain control of Lynx

Editor's Note: This is a column by Sports Editor Rob Reischel

Jamie Sims has been Middleton’s athletic director for just six weeks.

Sims inherited a pair of size 19 shoes left behind by the late, great Bob Joers. He was quickly forced to deal with the fallout of a global pandemic and help make tough decisions regarding fall sports.

Sims still has a lengthy to-do list — most notably how to schedule three sports seasons into the winter and spring. When he comes up for air, though, it’s imperative for Sims — and assistant A.D. Ben White — to reclaim control of Middleton’s co-op girls hockey program.

Middleton’s co-op, also known as the Madison Metro Lynx, consists of players from Middleton, Madison West, Madison Memorial, Madison Edgewood and Verona. The Lynx was also one program Joers took immense pride in.

Mon
17
Aug
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MHS girls golfers excited to have a season

When we last saw Becky Halverson, she was hoisting a state championship trophy.

Halverson, Middleton’s girls golf coach, enjoyed a victory ride with her team on the back of a fire truck. And when she exhaled, Halverson took great pride in the fact she’s built one of the best programs in the state.

Last week, Halverson and the Cardinals got perhaps their best news since claiming the WIAA Division 1 state title last October.

The WIAA Board of Control approved several details for fall sports to also be played in the spring for the 2020-21 calendar year only. Middleton — which elected not to play sports this fall due to concerns surrounding COVID-19 — will now be able to play fall sports in the spring.

Girls golf will run from March 29 until the week of May 17. And if everything goes according to plan, Halverson’s team should get a chance to defend their title.

Sun
16
Aug
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City to Update Comprehensive Plan After Joint Meeting with Towns

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Airport Commission last week delayed recommending updated language to the city’s Comprehensive Plan until the Common Council can meet with the Town of Middleton and Town of Springfield on Middleton Municipal Airport-Morey Field issues.

As part of the city’s required 10-year update to the Comprehensive Plan, City Planner & Zoning Administrator Mark Opitz presented language regarding the airport which was criticized for lessening concern for the airport’s impact on its neighbors.

The 2006 Comprehensive Plan recognizes the increased air traffic and the city’s need to monitor the airport so it operates “as safely and efficiently as possible while at the same time minimizing potentially negative impacts on nearby properties.”                

The proposed language presented to the Commission on Aug. 6 eliminates minimizing potentially negative impacts and promotes the airport’s role in economic development.

It read:

Sun
16
Aug
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School Board Reviews Fall Planning

MIDDLETON–The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Board of Education reviewed the latest developments in the district’s planning for students returning to school in the fall. The board chose to have all grade levels begin school virtually, but will revisit the decision at its Sept. 28 meeting based on new data and experiences of schools that are offering in-person instruction.

Superintendent Dana Monogue said a shift to in-person instruction will be guided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Public Health of Madison and  Dane County. She noted no guidance had yet been given from either agency specific to schools but is expected imminently. 

Sun
16
Aug
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Ruth Clare Wood

MIDDLETON–Ruth Clare Wood, age 85, of Middleton, passed away on Aug. 3, 2020, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on Dec. 17, 1934, in Portage, the daughter of Eugene and Esther (Gerstenkorn) McMahon. Ruth graduated from Portage High School. She married the love of her life, John "Jack" Wood, on Dec. 28, 1957.

Ruth was a longtime resident of Middleton, living in and staying involved in the community for over 50 years. She worked for the City of Middleton for nearly 40 years, retiring in 1998. She enjoyed spending time with her friends in card clubs, playing Bridge, bowling, traveling and shopping. Most of all, Ruth loved spending time with her grandkids and attending all of their events and activities. She loved celebrating the holidays with her family, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, and she brought joy to everyone with her presence. Her bright smile and kind heart will be missed by all who knew her.

Sun
16
Aug
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Von Lenord Byrd

MADISON - Von Lenord Byrd, age 81, of Middleton, passed away on Aug. 9, 2020. 

He was born on June 17, 1939, in Sevierville, TN, the son of Frank Byrd and Joanna (Lane) Byrd. Von graduated from Sevier County High School as Salutatorian of his class, and received a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and an MS from North Carolina State University in Raleigh. 

Von came to Madison to work at the US Forest Products Laboratory. He married Maralyn Pongratz on Dec. 18, 1965. He returned to Raleigh to pursue his Ph.D. in Wood and Paper Chemistry, which he received in 1971. In 1975 Von moved his family to Stockholm, Sweden, where he did a post-doctoral year of study at the Swedish Forest Products Research Laboratory.

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