June 2015

The concept seems somewhat odd.

But when examined closer, it’s completely understandable.

Middleton’s boys track and field team finished fourth at the WIAA Division 1 state track and field meet held at UW-La Crosse last weekend. That finish is believed to be the best in school history.

Afterwards, though, the Cardinals were somewhat disappointed.

Why? Simple. These Cardinals fully believed an even higher finish was possible.

Bay Port won the title with 67 points, while Wisconsin Lutheran was second at 48. Madison West (36), Middleton (26) and Pewaukee (23) rounded out the top five.

“It was interesting to finish so well historically and feel so let down,” Middleton coach Isaac Mezera said. “We were chosen by many to finish in second or third place. Some even went so far to predict us winning the meet. 

Middleton’s boys tennis program has a long and storied tradition of excellence.

The Cardinals send multiple players to the individual state tournament most years. Middleton has been to the state team tournament nine times since 2000.

But one thing the Cardinals have never produced was an individual state champion.

Until Saturday, that is.

Cardinals sophomore Jake Van Emburgh made history by rolling past Brookfield East’s David Horneffer, 7-5, 6-1, to claim the WIAA Division 1 state champion.

Van Emburgh became the first player in school history to win a state title. And with his family set to move to Florida in July, it was a memorable ending for Van Emburgh.

“I’m glad I could end like that,” Van Emburgh said. “It’s kind of bittersweet, but it’s something I definitely wanted to accomplish.”

Van Emburgh accomplished it with surprising ease.

Joey Levin looked around and saw everyone on their cell phones. Constantly.

No one would tell Levin what was happening. So naturally, Middleton’s standout golfer assumed the worst.

“I had a bad feeling for the majority of the back nine,” Levin said. “I could tell things were tight, but I had no clue because no one would tell me what was going on.”

Here’s what.

Levin and the Cardinals were on the ropes at the WIAA Division 1 Reedsburg Sectional Tuesday afternoon. And with three holes to play, Middleton trailed Waunakee by two shots for the final berth to the state team tournament.

But the Cardinals closed with a bang, outscored the Warriors by four shots in the final three holes, and earned a trip back to the state tournament Monday and Tuesday at University Ridge Golf Course.

Madison Memorial shot a season-low 304 and won the sectional. Middleton was second at 308 and the Warriors were a close third at 310.

The memories will be etched in stone for the rest of Bobbi Patrick’s life.

A pair of top-four finishes in relay events in 2013.

Runner-up finishes in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter relays in 2014.

And several sensational individual performances along the way.

Yes, Patrick — a Middleton High School senior — has left her mark at the WIAA Division 1 girls state track and field meet.

Now, Patrick hopes her swan song is the best yet.

Patrick and 13 of her Middleton teammates will head to the WIAA Division 1 state meet at UW-La Crosse this weekend with extremely high hopes.

Patrick is part of Middleton’s second-seeded 1,600-meter relay team and fourth-seeded 3,200-meter relay team. Patrick is also seeded eighth in the 800-meter run and hopes to go out with a bang.