June 2015

Middleton’s girls softball team enjoyed a sensational season.

There was a Big Eight Conference championship. A regional title. And a 17-5 overall record.

So it was no surprise that the Cardinals did extremely well when it came to all-conference voting, landing nine players on the all-Big Eight team.

Sophomore center fielder Rachel Everson was named first-team all-league, while freshman pitcher Lauren Banke, freshman left fielder Jessica Parente and junior first baseman Shelby Ballweg were second-team all-conference choices.

Senior shortstop Katie Fermanich, senior catcher Amber Karn, senior right fielder Abby Henke, senior second baseman Morgan Schmitt and sophomore pitcher Makenzie Kopp were all named honorable-mention all-conference, as well.

Everson had a memorable spring.

When perennial power Milwaukee Marquette advanced through the draw, Middleton’s boys tennis team knew it had its work cut out if it was to claim its first state team title.

The Hilltoppers boasted far and away the state’s top doubles lineup along with a deep and talented roster.

In the end, the matchup proved too much to overcome as the Cardinals were swept in the doubles matches and went on to drop a 5-2 decision to the Hilltoppers in the WIAA Division 1 championship match at Nielsen Tennis Stadium Saturday.

“When we went through our semifinal we were hoping for Brookfield East because we matched up a little better with them,” said Middleton junior Brian Bellissimo. “We saw Marquette and we were going to give all we could, but they just played better than we did today. Their doubles are just crazy deep from every position.”

The 90-minute sectional final was largely filled with frustration and disappointment.

The other two months of their 2015 campaign was a downright joyride.

Middleton’s girls soccer team fell one step short of the state tournament, dropping a 4-1 decision to visiting Kettle Moraine in a WIAA Division 1 sectional final Saturday.

But the Cardinals certainly didn’t leave Firefighter’s Park with their heads hung low. Instead, Middleton left filled with pride about a year that was packed with success and surprises.

“Our expectation is always state and I thought this could be our year,” Middleton senior midfielder Megan Sullivan said. “But this was a great season for us. I don’t think there were many people that thought we’d do as good as we did.”

That’s for sure.

The Cardinals graduated 10 seniors from their 2014 team, but never missed a beat.

Verona — The disappointment should increase their drive.

The frustration figures to be an enormous motivator.

Middleton’s boys golf team will now try turning a negative into a positive.

The Cardinals finished in fifth place at the WIAA Division 1 state tournament held at University Ridge Monday and Tuesday. Middleton, which finished in fourth place a year ago, had much greater aspirations in 2015.

Instead, the Cardinals couldn’t find a branch of consistency to grab onto.

“It’s definitely disappointing,” said Cardinals junior Brady Thomas. “We had very high hopes, just like last year. But we just kind of laid a dud.”

Hartland Arrowhead won its sixth state team title in nine years, posting a 623. Green Bay Notre Dame was a close second at 624, while Bay Port (637), Badger (641) and Middleton (642) rounded out the top five.