Sports

‘The Streak’ — one of the more remarkable stretched of success in the history of Middleton athletics — came to an end last Saturday.

Middleton’s boys cross country team which had qualified for 11 consecutive WIAA Division 1 state tournaments, fell short of pushing that number to 12 after finishing third at the Verona Sectional.

Immediately afterwards, though, the Cardinals began thinking about 2025. And Middleton hopes to use its disappointment from sectionals as a driving force for next season.

“This group really left their mark and I'm proud of what they accomplished,” said Middleton coach Brian Finnel, who led the Cardinals to 11 straight state tournament appearances. “No one wanted to see the 11-year state streak end. They believed they could extend the state streak success. Unfortunately things didn't quite unfold that way this year. 

Middleton’s girls volleyball team has enjoyed a magical season.

There was a nine-match winning streak to open the year. There was a 12-match winning streak midway through the season.

But Cardinals coach Ben White wasn’t thrilled how his team was playing heading into the postseason after MHS lost three of its final five regular season matches.

Well, Middleton certainly opened the postseason with a bang.

The Cardinals, who are the No. 1 seed in their sectional, rolled by ninth-seeded Onalaska, 25-14, 25-16, 25-20 in a WIAA Division 1 regional final last Saturday.

Middleton now meets fourth-seeded Verona in a sectional semifinal Thursday at 7 p.m. at DeForest High School. If the Cardinals win there, they’d face either sixth-seeded Holmen or seventh-seeded Madison Memorial in the sectional final Saturday at 7 p.m.

Middleton’s boys volleyball team lost five starters and 11 seniors from the group that won the WIAA state championship in 2023.

The Cardinals — who have just three seniors — began this season as an extremely inexperienced outfit. And many expected 2025 — not 2024 — to be Middleton’s year.

The Cardinals believe there’s no time like the present, though, and have been chasing greatness all year.

Middleton took another step towards achieving just that with a 26-16, 25-11, 25-14 win over DeForest in a regional final last Friday. The top-seeded Cardinals improved to 30-4 and faced Sun Prairie East/West in a sectional semifinal Tuesday.

If Middleton won there, it would meet either second-seeded Madison Memorial or third-seeded Madison West in a sectional final Saturday at 7 p.m.

Offense wasn’t exactly non-existent for Middleton’s football team in last Friday’s regular season finale against Madison West.

But the Cardinals were far from a juggernaut, producing no points on offense despite tallying 223 yards and 17 first downs.

It didn’t matter.

Defense and special teams picked up the slack in a major way, propelling the Cardinals to a 7-3 victory over an energized Regents team that needed a win to qualify for the WIAA playoffs.

“The offense moved the ball, we just didn’t convert on some third and fourth downs. But we (kept control) of field position,” said Cardinals punter Jackson Guerrero, one of the stars of the game after pinning West at its own 1- or 2-yard-line three times in the second half and four times overall. “In a close game like that you’re tense the whole game, so having the defense (playing like they did) — having confidence in the defense knowing they’re going to get a stop — is a very good feeling.”

Ben White led Middleton’s boys volleyball team to 11 WIAA state tournament appearances during his 19 years running that program.

Now, White has a terrific chance to lead Middleton’s girls to state in just his second season running that program.

Middleton received a No. 1 seed in its 17-team sectional. The Cardinals received a first round bye, then host either eighth-seeded La Crosse Central or ninth-seeded Onalaska in a regional final Saturday at 7 p.m.

The sectional semifinals are Oct. 31 in DeForest. The sectional finals are Nov. 2 and currently slated to be played at Onalaska.

Middleton is the No. 1 seed in the sectional, while Sauk Prairie is No. 2. Waunakee, Verona, DeForest, Holmen, Madison Memorial and La Crosse Central round out the top-eight seeds, which all have either first round home matches or byes.

It's been nearly 40 years since a WIAA Division 1 school other than Marquette has won back-to-back state championships.

Madison West accomplished that impressive feat in 1987-’88.

Middleton takes aim at its second straight title beginning this week.

The Cardinals, who were a surprise winner in 2023, wouldn't shock anyone this time around if they repeated as champions.

Middleton, which is 17-3 overall and ranked No. 2 in Division 1, is the No. 1 seed in its sectional. The Cardinals entered the postseason on a six-game winning streak after finishing the regular season with a 16-0 win over Janesville Parker on Oct. 15 and a 3-0 victory over Monona Grove on Oct. 17.

Their performance was admirable.

But Middleton’s boys cross country team knows they’ll need to make major strides to continue their remarkable 11-year streak of reaching the WIAA Division 1 state meet.

The Cardinals finished third at the Big Eight Conference meet last Saturday held at Lake Farm Country Park. Madison West won the conference title with 67 points, while Verona (68), Middleton (89), Madison La Follette (111) and Madison East (120) rounded out the top five.

Six of Middleton’s top seven runners posted personal-best times during their impressive run.

“The team showcased their determination and skill at the conference meet,” Middleton coach Brian Finnel said. “Competing against some of the best teams in Division 1, with five of 10 teams being ranked in the state, our athletes delivered impressive performances, culminating in a commendable third-place finish.

Let the title defense begin.

Middleton’s boys volleyball team — the defending WIAA state champions — takes aim at defending their title beginning this week.

Middleton received the No. 1 seed in its bracket and will host eighth-seeded DeForest Friday at 7 p.m. in a regional final.

The sectional semifinals are Oct. 29, and Middleton will host either fourth-seeded Madison Edgewood/Abundant Life or fifth-seeded Sun Prairie East/West.

The sectional finals are Nov. 2 at Madison Memorial, and if seeds hold, Middleton would face either second-seeded Madison Memorial or third-seeded Madison West.

The second season is just around the corner for Middleton’s girls swimming team.

The first season has already been a memorable one.

Middleton capped its regular season with a 111.5-58.5 win over Arrowhead last Saturday. The Cardinals also defeated Janesville Parker, 129-40, on Oct. 17.

Middleton is now off until the Big Eight Conference meet on Nov. 2 at Sun Prairie West.

“We are looking forward to seeing what we can do at the conference and sectional meets over the next few weeks,” Middleton coach R.J. Leiferman said.

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ meets last week:

• Middleton 111.5, Arrowhead 58.5 — The Cardinals won nine of 11 events and toppled the Warhawks, one of the state’s elite programs.

“We swam very well vs. Arrowhead,” Leiferman said. “It was a great chance to race one of the stronger teams in the state.”

Middleton’s wins came in the following events:

Middleton’s football team gathered for a playoff viewing party Saturday, and around 10:45 a.m., the room erupted.

MHS co-head coach Tim Simon wasn’t sure if it was because his Cardinals saw their name on the television screen. Or if it was because Middleton received a lofty seed no one ever saw coming.

“Maybe it was both,” Simon said.

Whatever the reason, Christmas came two months early for these Cardinals.

Middleton, which had a less than inspiring season in the mediocre Big Eight Conference, received the No. 4 seed in their bracket. That means the Cardinals (6-3) get a first round home game and will host fifth-seeded Chippewa Falls (6-3) in a WIAA Division 1 Level 1 playoff game Friday at 7 p.m.

“After our (Week 9) game against Madison West, we told the guys we had no idea where we were going, but we were probably going on the road,” Simon said. “Having a home game? We did not think that would be the case.”