December 2023

Middleton’s wrestlers split a triple dual at Madison East on Dec. 7.

The Cardinals defeated the host Purgolders, 47-36. Middleton also lost to Janesville Parker, 42-36.

In Middleton’s win over East, Grady Hargrove (126), Alborz Dehnavi (132),  Pavil Jones (138), Sam Zanton (150), Finn Grauwels (157), Bryce Falk (190) and Bruce Ortiz (215) all notched pins. Reece Miller (144) also won by technical fall.

In the Cardinals’ loss to Parker, Dehnavi, Jones, Miller, Zanton and Grauwels all pinned their opponent. Tavish Frank (106) posted a 4-3 win over his foe, while Falk defeated his opponent, 14-9.

Here’s a breakdown of how the Cardinals performed:

Middleton 47, Madison East 36

106: Boone Freihoefer (Madison East) over Tavish Frank (Middleton) (Fall 3:55)

113: Saidu Njie (Madison East) over Forfeit (Middleton)

120: Bobby Thao (Madison East) over Forfeit (Middleton)

Bob Auerbach, 94, of Middleton – affectionately known as “The Piano Man” for volunteering his musical gifts at a variety of area senior centers, assisted living and memory care facilities – was selected by AARP, the nonprofit organization for people 50 and older, to receive the 2023 AARP Wisconsin Andrus Award for Community Service. It was formally presented to Auerbach at a ceremony on Monday, Dec. 4, at 10:30 a.m. at the Middleton Senior Center, 7448 Hubbard Ave., where Auerbach thrilled the crowd with his playing. Read more on page 5 this week. Photo  by Mary Langenfeld. 

Middleton’s football team had a terrific year, going 9-2 overall and finishing second in the Big Eight Conference behind Verona.

The Cardinals were properly recognized for their achievements, as the Cardinals gobbled up 19 places on the all-Big Eight Conference team.

Senior quarterback Gabe Passini was named first-team all-conference as well as the league’s Offensive Player of the Year. Senior inside linebacker Sam Pilof, a Rutgers recruit, was also named first-team all-Big Eight and the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Senior left tackle K.J. Peterson was a first-team all-conference selection and the league’s Offensive Lineman of the Year, while senior Dom Frost earned first-team all-league honors and was the conference’s Defensive Lineman of the Year.

Senior offensive linemen Hudson Cleary and Carter Kadow, along with junior defensive linemen Torin Pettaway and Quone Burks were named first-team all-conference, as well.

Bryce Falk battled his way to the podium at the WIAA Division 1 state championships at 170 pounds a year ago.

An even more determined Falk admits he will be competing with a chip on his shoulder when he takes to the mat for his final high school wrestling season this winter.

“Obviously, we didn’t get the best result we wanted from football,” said Falk, a two-time co-captain in wrestling and an All-Big Eight Conference running back in football. “But I want to keep pushing my limits and see how far I can go.”

Falk placed sixth at the individual state meet last year, posting a career-best 45-12 record.

But a pair of football losses to conference rival Verona — in the regular season and in the second round of the playoffs — capped what was a disappointing football season for Falk, who was hampered by a hamstring injury.

Falk, though, is healthy and eager to turn the page, and put all that behind him.