Sports

Brent Jorgensen is beginning his seventh season as Middleton’s baseball manager.

He’s led the Cardinals to a state tournament appearance in 2023, top half finishes in the Big Eight Conference every year, and never had a losing season.

So when Jorgensen says the following, your ears naturally stand up.

“I absolutely believe in this group, perhaps more so than any other year that I've had as head coach,” Jorgenson said.

That’s saying a lot when you consider the success Middleton has had under Jorgensen. Then again, it’s easy to see why Middleton has every reason to be fired up about what lies ahead this spring.

The Cardinals return six all-conference players from last year’s team that went 16-10 overall, bring back several other key contributors and will add a group of newcomers with exciting potential.

Add it up and this could be one of Middleton’s better teams in years.

There’s power.

There’s speed.

There are contact hitters and a group that fully understands the strike zone.

That’s why Middleton softball coach Brittany Carl is so excited about the Cardinals’ offense this spring.

“We've talked a lot about our offense and how we want to show up and produce this season,” Carl said.

So far, so good.

Middleton erupted for 10 first inning runs in its season-opener and drilled Madison Memorial, 13-2, on March 27. The game was stopped after five innings due to the mercy rule.

“It was a great way to start the season,” Carl said. “I expect us to score more runs this year. We have power and great depth.”

Those were on full display against the Spartans.

Catcher Hailey Stroede had a terrific day, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI.

Middleton senior center Will Garlock was named honorable mention all-state in Division 1 by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association.

The first-team consisted of Sun Prairie East senior Chris Davis Jr., West Allis Central junior Yusef Gray, Beloit Memorial junior Amare Hereford, Marshfield senior Brooks Hinson, Eau Claire Memorial senior Cooper Jesperson, Oregon junior Vaughn Karvala, DePere senior Zach Kinziger, Oshkosh North senior Xzavion Mitchell, Verona senior Drew Murphy, Kettle Moraine senior Roman Thompson, Kaukauna senior Keegan Van Kauwenberg, and Wisconsin Lutheran junior Zavier Zens.

The 7-foot Garlock, a University of Wisconsin recruit, missed the first seven games of the season while recovering from offseason ankle surgery. Middleton  went 2-5 without Garlock and 13-6 after  his return.

Garlock led Middleton in rebounds (6.8) and assists (2.9) and was third on the team in scoring (12.7).

Before Alan Roden, there was Connie Grob.

Roden, a Middleton High School graduate, made his major league debut last week with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Many believed Roden was the first-ever player from Middleton to reach the major leagues.

Instead, that honor goes to Connie Grob, who was born in Cross Plains in 1932 and was a 1950 graduate of Middleton High School.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Grob was a right handed pitcher who spent the 1956 season with the Washington Senators. He hit from the left side of the plate.

Grob originally signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers before the 1952 season and went 24-5 that year pitching in the Class D Wisconsin State League.

After two years of military service, the Dodgers moved Grob up to the Double-A Southern Assoiciation and he posted a winning record with the 1955 Mobile Bears.

Washington then selected Grob in the Rule 5 draft in Nov., 1955.

Middleton hockey standouts Wyatt Ehrhardt and Eli Covey were named to the

Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association all-state teams.

Ehrhardt, a senior forward, was named first-team all-state. Covey, a senior defender, was named second-team all-state.

Ehrhardt was one of the top scorers in the state, leading the Cardinals in goals (41), assists (32) and points (73). Ehrhardt finished eighth in the state in goals, 15th in assists and ninth in total points.

In addition, Ehrhardt was named the eighth recipient of the Jeff Sauer Humanitarian Award

“Wyatt was a dynamic playmaker and scorer who made everyone better when he was on the ice,” Middleton coach Jochen Hylbert said.

Covey was a terrific defenseman with plenty of offense in his game. Covey finished second on the team in goals (11), assists (24) and total points (35).

“Eli was a relentless defensemen who played tough in all three zones,” Hylbert said.

The expectations are sky high.

And Middleton’s softball team is fully embracing them.

The Cardinals reached the sectional finals in 2024, where they lost to Sun Prairie East. With several key cogs back — and some gifted newcomers — Middleton could be poised to make its first state tournament appearance since 2008.

“We return a great deal of talent from 2024 and I think everyone — in the program and the Middleton community — is buzzing about what’s possible for us this season,” said Middleton coach Brittany Carl, whose team opens its season Thursday by hosting Madison Memorial at 5 p.m. “The veteran group has fantastic chemistry and knows the expectations are high. Our goal is to prove everyone right — that we belong in the spotlight, playing on the biggest stage.”

Middleton has a lengthy history as one of the top baseball schools in Wisconsin.

The Cardinals have reached the state tournament 14 times, had countless players compete collegiately and had a handful play in the minor leagues.

Middleton never had a player reach the major leagues, though — until now.

Alan Roden, a 2018 Middleton graduate, learned this week he made the Toronto Blue Jays opening day roster. Toronto begins its 2025 season by hosting Baltimore Thursday afternoon.

“I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity,” Roden said Monday afternoon. “And I’m extremely grateful for everyone that has helped me get to this point.”

The 25-year-old Roden had a sensational spring, batting .423 with a 1.287 OPS. Roden, the No. 5 prospect in Toronto’s farm system, is expected to play all three outfield positions and do some designated hitting.

Middleton’s hockey team had a terrific season, tying for the Big Eight Conference championship for a second straight year.

The Cardinals were justly rewarded, landing six players on the all-conference team.

Senior forward Wyatt Ehrhardt and senior defenseman Eli Covey were named first-team all-conference. Junior forward Patrick Passini and senior defenseman Ethan Glimme were both named second-team all-league, while senior forward Misha Garbuz and senior defenseman Thomas Sutcliffe were both named honorable mention all-conference.

Ehrhardt was one of the top scorers in the state, leading the Cardinals in goals (41), assists (32) and points (73). Ehrhardt finished eighth in the state in goals, 15^th in assists and ninth in total points.

In addition, Ehrhardt was named the eighth recipient of the Jeff Sauer Humanitarian Award

Middleton’s girls basketball team landed three players on the all-Big Eight Conference team.

Senior center Macey Blazek and junior guard Brooke Michelotti were both named second-team all-conference. Junior guard Rowan Borne earned honorable-mention all-conference honors.

Michelotti led the Cardinals in scoring with 12.2 points per game. She scored 20 points, or more, in three games, pouring in 23 points against both Oregon and Sun Prairie East, and scoring 20 against Janesville Craig.

Michelotti reached double figures in 17 games and made a team-high 47 3-pointers. Michelotti also finished fourth on the team in assists (1.6) and fifth in rebounds (3.2).

Blazek, a transfer from Beech High School in Hendersonville, Tenn., came to Middleton last summer when her father, A.J., was hired to coach the University of Wisconsin’s offensive line. And what a boost Blazek gave the Cardinals.

Wyatt Ehrhardt, a senior at Middleton High School, has been named the eighth recipient of the Jeff Sauer Humanitarian Award, the Coach Sauer Foundation announced.

The award was presented March 6 at the Wisconsin High School Coaches Association dinner in Middleton.

The annual award hopes to encourage community service among girls and boys high school hockey players in the state of Wisconsin. It is named after the legendary former University of Wisconsin coach and hockey ambassador who passed away in Feb., 2017.

The Jeff Sauer Award’s goal is to recognize good high school hockey players being great people.

Ehrhardt is a worthy example.

Ehrhardt, the Cardinals’ captain scored 41 goals and had 73 points during the regular season.