June 2024

Middleton’s basketball program has produced a steady stream of college players in recent years.

The Cardinals have never sent anyone straight from high school into a Power 5 conference, though.

Will Garlock has changed all of that.

Garlock, a 6-foot-11, senior-to be at MHS, gave a verbal commitment to the University of Wisconsin Thursday night and made his decision official Saturday.

“I’m really proud,” Garlock said Saturday afternoon. “I just felt really good about the coaching staff and the players. I built great relationships with them and just felt like it was the best place for me.”

Garlock said his final choices were Wisconsin and Iowa. Virginia Tech and Minnesota were also in his final four.

Garlock becomes the first player from the Big Eight Conference to go from high school to a Power 5 Conference (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC) since Nick Fuller of Sun Prairie headed to Nebraska in 2013.

They waited 52 weeks for this moment.

When it finally arrived, Middleton’s boys golf team wasn’t going to let it slip away.

The Cardinals shot a sizzling 301 and won the Madison Memorial Sectional held at Blackhawk Country Club on May 29. Waunakee was a distant second with a 313 and earned the second trip to state.

One year ago, Middleton tied for second place at the Waunakee Sectional, but lost a playoff to Holmen for the final state berth. So this year provided sweet redemption for the Cardinals.

“The guys had been focused on this day since last year's sectional when things didn't go particularly well for us,” Middleton coach Tom Cabalka said. “They were not about to have a repeat day. 

“Moving on to state is a great accomplishment and the guys were quite excited. Playing really well right from the start of their day, it was a pretty relaxed round of golf. What was most impressive was how smart they played.”

The six seniors on Middleton’s girls soccer team will never forget the date June 1, 2024.

First, the Cardinals’ ‘Super Six’ took part in Middleton’s graduation that afternoon. Then, they helped MHS defeat one of its biggest rivals on the pitch with a thrilling 1-0 win over visiting Verona in a WIAA Division 1 regional final.

Freshman Trinnity Wyttenbach scored the game’s only goal in the first overtime, converting a pass from fellow freshman Brooke Lister.

Middleton, the No. 4 seed in its sectional, improved to 13-3-3 and travels to No. 1-seeded Kettle Moraine (13-0-3) for a sectional semifinal Thursday at 7 p.m. If the Cardinals win there, they’d host a sectional final Saturday at 7 p.m. against either second-seeded Madison West or third-seeded Waunakee.

Middleton and Reedsburg engaged in a pitcher’s duel Sunday afternoon.

Fortunately for the 29ers, they had Brady Schmitt and Drew Farrell on their side.

Schmitt hurled six strong innings and Farrell threw the last three to lead Middleton to a 3-2 win in Home Talent League action.

The 29ers improved to 2-1 on the young season.

“Both teams’ pitchers threw really well,” Middleton manager Jacob Ross said.

That’s for sure.

Schmitt struck out seven while allowing just four hits and two runs in his six innings of work. Farrell allowed just one hit and struck out three in the final three frames.
Middleton took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Stephen Paulsen walked and scored on an RBI double by Andrew Zimmerman. The 29ers extended their advantage to 2-0 in the third when Easton Zempel doubled and later scored on an RBI single by Hayden Hellenbrand.