April 2021

Karsen Dettman knows a thing or two about success at state.

As a sophomore at Middleton High School, Dettman teamed up with Maddie Clark and finished second in the WIAA Division 1 individual state doubles tournament.

Noor Rajpal has also experienced her share of highs at state. As a junior at MHS, Rajpal and teammate Jessica Pientka reached the round of 16 at the state doubles tournament.

Rajpal and Dettman — who are both seniors now — became doubles partners this season. And to the surprise on no one, the Cardinals’ duo had a year to remember.

Dettman and Rajpal capped their year by finishing third in doubles play at the alternate-fall state meet held April 22-23 at Lake Geneva Tennis Club.

“We’ve known each other for a long time and so naturally we have a lot of chemistry not only as friends, but as doubles partners,” Rajpal said. “Overall Karsen and I are happy with third place. However, we would loved to have won the whole thing.”

The postseason is almost here for the alternate-fall girls golfers.

And by the looks of it, Middleton will be extremely tough to slow down.

The Cardinals cruised to first place at the Sheboygan North Quad last Thursday and Friday. Middleton shot a two-day score of 627, which easily outdistanced runner-up Bay Port (654).

The opening round of the tournament was played at Blackwolf Run’s Meadow Valley Course in Kohler, while the second round was at the Irish Course at Whistling Straits.

“To say I am proud of the girls' play would be an understatement,” Middleton coach Becky Halverson said. “It was a great opportunity to be able to golf some top-notch courses and to be right in it with some of the best boys and girls golf teams in the state.”

There were 36 boys teams and four girls team at the star-studded event.

Brian Finnel has been waiting for this moment.

The day when his Middleton cross country team was healthy. The time when his Cardinals were in peak form.

And the time MHS won a major invite.

That time came last Saturday, when Middleton won its own invitational with 36 points. Sun Prairie was close second with 39 points, followed by Verona (63), Janesville Parker (114), Milton (146) and Beloit Memorial (164).

“It's so fun when things come together and guys race up to their potential,” Finnel said. “That's the beauty of seeing the day-to-day operations, you get great glimpses of what the boys can do.

“I felt we were physically and mentally ready on Saturday. Not to mention, there was an awesome atmosphere and energy that really enhanced the day, too. Honestly, you could not have asked for a better day weather wise and for footing.”

If there’s one school Middleton’s football team dislikes more than any other, one team they would pick to defeat, it would be Verona.

“100%. 100%. No doubt about it,” Cardinals safety/running back Quinn Calvin said. “It’s Verona more than Sun Prairie, more than anybody.”

“To me it’s personal. Outside of school, they think they're the best and they’re not. They’re always talking, online chats and stuff, talking smack all the time. Thinking they’re better than everybody when they’re not. It’s been like that since fourth grade. We can’t stand Verona.”

Which is why Friday was so painful for the Cardinals.

Middleton led virtually the entire night. But Verona took its first lead of the game with less than two minutes remaining, then held on for a 28-21 win at Otto Breitenbach Stadium.

Middleton fell to 3-2 in this alternate-fall season, while the Wildcats improved to 2-3.