September 2023

Middleton and Verona.

Verona and Middleton.

These two swimming giants have gone head to head multiple times this season, exchanging wins along the way. And the super powers could eventually be the two favorites at the state meet.

Last Saturday provided the latest battle, as Verona edged the Cardinals, 329.5-324.5, at the star-studded Waukesha South Invite. Rhinelander (233), Arrowhead (222) and Waukesha West/Catholic Memorial (202) rounded out the top five at the 16-team invite.

“The Waukesha meet was another great competition with Verona and we just missed out on winning the meet,” Middleton coach R.J. Leiferman said.

Per usual, the Cardinals and Wildcats were neck-in-neck throughout and Middleton received several terrific swims along the way.

Middleton’s girls volleyball team split a pair of matches last week.

Janesville Craig defeated the Cardinals, 26-28, 25-22, 25-20, 25-14, on Sept. 12. Middleton rebounded, though, with a 24-26, 25-21, 25-22, 25-15 win over Madison West on Sept. 14.

Middleton coach Ben White wasn’t thrilled how his team played against the visiting Cougars.

“We felt like we took a bit of a step back during this match,” White said. “We had a few too many unforced errors where we watched the ball land with no one going for it and we weren't aggressive enough on our third hits to get Craig out of system.

“Craig controlled the tempo for most of the match. We also struggled with our serve receive, which made it difficult for our setters to run a consistent offense.”

Keaten Davis led Middleton with 15 kills, while Sadie Newcomb had 11 kills and 15 digs. Haley Stoffregan had 17 assists and four aces, while Andrea Wipperfurth had 16 assists, four aces and 19 digs.

Middleton’s girls cross country team finished second at the Big Eight Conference Grade Level Challenge on Sept. 12.,

“The team had a fantastic showing, losing to a pretty impressive Madison West team,” Middleton co-coach Kelly Julian said. “This race is unique in that athletes race against their grade level. That often opens up opportunities for younger classmen to score points, and potentially place.”

That was certainly the case for freshman Josephine Schiferl, who finished second among freshman race and third overall, completing the 5,000-meter race in 21 minutes, 52.6 seconds.

“She looked relaxed and confident, especially for a freshman runner,” Julian said of Schiferl.

Rory Rhodes was fourth among seniors (22:26.2), while Avery Tiller was sixth among juniors (21:38.6). Morley Schroeder (22:52.5) and Caroline Blust were sixth and seventh (23:21.7) respectively among seniors, while and Olivia Strasia was ninth among juniors (22:14.5).

All of the arrangements were in place for one heck of a party.

The first two phases of the Borden Athletic Complex had been completed and were on display for the entire community to see.

Middleton welcomed its arch-rival to town. And 4,000 fans turned out for the bash.

Then Verona spoiled the festivities.

The visiting Wildcats came to Middleton last Friday for the unveiling of the Cardinals’ new and improved stadium and made sure no one from MHS would be celebrating. Verona raced to a 21-0 lead, held off a late Middleton charge and stunned the host Cardinals, 28-21.

“It’s really disappointing,” senior linebacker Sam Pilof said.

Verona, chasing a second straight Big Eight Conference title, improved to 2-0 in the league and 3-1 overall. Middleton, which entered the night ranked No. 3 in the latest Wissports.net Division 1 poll, fell to 1-1, 3-1.