August 2026

It’s time for a new streak.

That’s how Middleton’s boys cross country team views the upcoming season.

The Cardinals reached 11 straight WIAA Division 1 state tournaments between 2013-2023 before falling short the last two years. When Middleton begins its new season Saturday at the 24-team Arrowhead Night Classic, the Cardinals believe they have the makings for a special year.

“Last year we climbed as high as 10th in the state rankings, but I believe this group has a higher ceiling,” Middleton veteran coach Brian Finnel said. “We have a stronger front end, more depth competing for varsity spots, and a group that is extremely hungry after missing the state meet last year.

“Despite having another very challenging sectional alignment, I'm extremely optimistic about our prospects. There is a lot of talent on this team, and I think we have the pieces to put together a special season.”

The past decade has seen Big Eight Conference football fall off a cliff.

Soccer, on the other hand, has never been healthier.

The Big Eight Conference has produced the last four WIAA Division 1 state champions, with Middleton winning titles in 2023 and 2024. And 2026 could be more of the same.

Middleton enters the year ranked No. 6 by Wisconsinsoccerscene. Defending state champ Madison West is No. 1, while Verona and Madison La Follette figure to be formidable.

And when the state tournament rolls around in early November, a Big Eight school could once again be in the hunt for a gold ball.

“Our sectional has proven to be the best in the state giving us the last four state champs,” said Middleton coach Kevin Pauls, whose team opens its new season Thursday at Stillwater (Minn.). “So we like our chances.”

ASHTON — Go the distance.

That was the mantra driving Ashton right-hander Treyden Hewuse on a sun-splashed late summer afternoon at the Home Talent League’s own ‘Field of Dreams.’

Hewuse, the ace of the A’s staff, picked the perfect time to throw arguably his finest game of the year.

Hewuse tossed a three-hit shutout, finishing his 131-pitch outing with a flourish as host Ashton blanked Pine Bluff/Mount Horeb, 2-0, in an HTL championship tournament quarterfinal game on Sunday afternoon.

“That was more than I thought,” Hewuse said of his final pitch count. “That is definitely the longest I’ve gone. It’s my first complete game this year, so I’m glad it was on the big stage.”

Shortstop Keegan Fleischman’s RBI single in the third inning was all the offense that Hewuse needed.

Third baseman Dylan Carrington’s solo home run in the sixth inning added a welcome insurance run to help Hewuse keep the Bluffers at bay.

Middleton’s girls tennis team opened ITS season winning three of four matches at the Madison Memorial Invite on Aug. 21 and 22.

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ performance.

• Middleton 4, Homestead 3 — The Cardinals won two of three doubles matches and two of four on the singles side and edged the Highlanders.

Middleton’s No. 2 doubles team of junior Ava Giles and freshman Elodie Sabat posted a straight sets win, while the No. 3 team of sophomores Grace Mayer and Zoe Baumgard also earned a win in straight sets.

In singles play, Middleton got straight set wins from No. 3 Nithya Uppala and No. 4 Rebecca Zhang.

• Arrowhead 6, Middleton 1 — The mighty Warhawks, who have won two of the last four WIAA Division 1 state titles, and were second another year, rolled past the Cardinals.

Middleton’s lone win came at No. 4 doubles where Zhang posted a 6-1, 7-6 (4) victory.