Sports

SAUK CITY – Senior shortstop Brian Lochner walked off the field Friday evening for the last time representing the Middleton Cardinals baseball team with the look of frustration and disappointment on his face.

Lochner was proud of what he and his teammates had accomplished during the season, but unhappy it didn’t end with another trip to Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute like it did a year ago.

Waunakee used a four-run outburst in the fifth inning and pitchers Jacob Nellis and Mark Siehoff combined to hold Middleton to just two hits en route to a 6-0 victory over the Cardinals in a WIAA Division 1 sectional championship game held at Sauk City Athletic Field.

Waunakee (21-3) advanced to play defending state champion Sun Prairie (22-2) in a Division 1 state quarterfinal game in Grand Chute on Tuesday. Middleton ended its year 18-7.

It happens every postseason.

A keeper gets white hot, their teammates come up big, and a surprise team emerges from nowhere.

In the 2013 WIAA Division 1 girls soccer playoffs, that keeper has been Middleton’s Meghan Ledin. And that team has been the upstart Cardinals.

Middleton, the No. 5 seed in its sectional, used a sensational performance from Ledin Thursday night to stun top-seeded Waunakee, 1-0, in a sectional semifinal.

Ledin notched 10 saves and came up huge every time Middleton’s defense slipped.

The Cardinals, meanwhile put just one shot on goal. But that was enough as Ellen Jesse scored in the 66^th minute to propel Middleton to a memorable win.

The Cardinals improved to 13-4-4, while the Warriors ended the year 17-2-1. Middleton now faces second-seeded Oregon in a sectional final Saturday at 3 p.m. in Verona.

The WIAA Division 1 girls state track and field meet was approaching. And Cardinals standout Darcy Dean was wrapping her head around the event’s unique history.

Each year when Middleton’s athletes go to state, they stay at a bed and breakfast at a farmhouse in Onalaska. And as Dean got ready to leave her fingerprints on this year’s meet, she first reflected on past Cardinal greats.

“Knowing that remarkable Middleton track athletes, such as Liz Reusser and Casey Cramer once stayed in the same bed and breakfast makes you realize you're part of something big,” Dean said. “It's all about tradition, and being a part of it is so special.”

Dean — and several of her teammates — added their chapter to that long and proud history last weekend.

Andy Keeler had heard the stories.

But Middleton’s junior track and field standout needed to experience the state track meet first-hand to fully understand them.

“People who have competed at state before tell me that the atmosphere of thousands of people watching you and the tough competition make you perform your best,” Keeler said. “And I would completely agree with them.”

With good reason.

During last weekend’s event held at UW-La Crosse, Keeler gave a historic performance.

Keeler cleared 6 feet, 6 inches in the high jump. Not only was that a school record, it was the highlight of a memorable weekend for the Cardinals.

Middleton finished with 14 points, which was good for a 19^th place tie. Brookfield East won the title with 51 points, while Green Bay Preble (50), Madison Memorial (40), Kimberly (37) and Brookfield Central (37) rounded out the top five.

Griff Pyle and Evan Stone wanted to taste victory.

They wanted to shine on the state’s biggest stage and be at their best when it mattered most.

Mission accomplished.

Pyle and Stone, Middleton’s top doubles team, reached the WIAA Division 1 state meet last week. And the Cardinals’ tandem won their opening match, before falling in the second round.

Ben Luskin, Middleton’s top singles player, also won his opening match before losing in the second round.

“Both played great,” Middleton coach Deke Bradley said. “The doubles fought their butts off, but just couldn't quite get over the hump. They put up a heck of a fight, though. It's nice to see them end the year playing well.”

Pyle and Stone — who entered the tournament with a 14-6 record — played extremely well.

As the rains poured down, and the baseball field at Middleton High School got soggy Thursday night, Matt Ash never lost focus.

“I just had to stay ready,” the Cardinals’ junior outfielder said.

Ash was definitely ready. And he delivered in a big way.

After a 1 hour, 40 minute rain delay, Middleton loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning in its WIAA Division 1 regional final against Onalaska. Ash then laid down a perfect squeeze bunt that scored pinch runner Elliot Tanin and gave the Cardinals a 3-2 win over the Hilltoppers.

Middleton, the No. 3 seed, improved to 17-6, while sixth-seeded Onalaska ended its year 16-9.

“It was a great bunt,” Cardinals senior pitcher Brian Lochner said. “Perfect.”

The ending was perfect for Middleton — even if the journey there was filled with a number of hiccups.

Tom Cabalka knows that better days are coming.

That the future is extremely bright for his Middleton boys golf program.

But that didn't make Tuesday any easier.

For the second consecutive year, the Cardinals were in undoubtedly the state’s toughest sectional. And for the second straight year, Middleton fell short of reaching the WIAA Division 1 state tournament.

Middleton finished in sixth place at the Sparta Sectional. Only the top two teams moved onto the state tournament, which will be held Monday and Tuesday at University Ridge.

Middleton also failed to advance any individual qualifiers, meaning the Cardinals’ year ended far too soon for their liking.

“I’m really proud of the kids,” Middleton coach Tom Cabalka said. “They gave it a great run. It’s just such a good sectional.”

Darcy Dean isn't messing around.

When it comes to the WIAA Division 1 girls state track and field meet, the Middleton standout knows what she wants. And Dean isn't shy about sharing those lofty goals.

“State-wise, I want two podium races,” Dean said of finishing in the top six. “I know both relays are equally capable of running podium times. I'm excited to see what happens, because in La Crosse with such a big atmosphere, you don't have a choice to run slow.”

The Cardinals haven’t run slow all year. And they certainly were in prime form during last Thursday’s Madison Memorial Sectional.

Middleton had three individuals and two relay teams qualify for the state meet, which will be held Friday and Saturday at UW-La Crosse.

Sun Prairie won the sectional with 102.50 points, while Middleton was second at 74.50. La Crosse Logan (61), Madison West (58) and Monona Grove (57) rounded out the top five.

Steven Harris has had four memorable years inside Middleton’s boys track and field program.

But the 2013 season will undoubtedly go down as his most unforgettable.

Harris had a day to remember at last Thursday’s WIAA Division 1 Madison Memorial Sectional.

Harris qualified for the state meet in two relays and one individual event. And Harris helped Middleton finish second at sectionals, narrowly losing to Madison La Follette, 85-83.

Now, when the state meet is held Friday and Saturday at UW-La Crosse, Harris and the Cardinals will have extremely high hopes.

“I couldn't have asked for a better year for the MHS program,” Harris said. “We have worked so hard this year and it shows pretty well with winning conference and regionals and taking second at sectionals. It's been a lot of fun watching how much success the whole team has had this year.”

Sectionals meant another successful day for the Cardinals.