Middleton High School’s Varsity Boys Ultimate Frisbee team capped off an incredible season with a dramatic 12-11 victory over longtime rival Madison West in the state championship game on May 25. This was the fourth straight year the two teams met in the final.
“As far as we know, this was the first Wisconsin high school championship game to go to universe point,” said Head Coach Ryan Natzke. “For our kids to step up in that moment, when it felt like the whole ultimate community and so many of our friends and families were watching, shows why they’ve worked so hard all year. It paid off in the best way possible.”
A year after a commanding 13-3 win over Madison West, Middleton faced a much tougher battle in this rematch. Middleton built a 7-4 lead by halftime, thanks in part to a spectacular catch by Middleton High School junior Evan Natzke that sent the largest crowd these players had ever played in front of into a frenzy. Fans from other games had gathered to watch the boys final, including more than 10 Middleton Boys Ultimate alumni, creating an electric atmosphere.
The opening points of the game saw both teams trading turnovers as players worked through early nerves. Middleton High School junior Conner Roth set the tone with a diving defensive play on the first point and continued to make his presence felt throughout the game. Roth led the team with five assists and added three defensive stops.
Natzke and Middleton High School senior Harry Jin each contributed two assists, while Middleton High School junior Turner Booth was a scoring machine with six goals, including the decisive game-winner on universe point. Natzke also chipped in with three goals.
Assistant Coach Nik Brunow’s focused on the mental resilience of the team.
“We came out strong and built a lead, but West is a tough team and they battled back,” Brunow said. “Our boys could have folded when it got close, but they stayed calm, stuck together, and found a way to finish the job. That’s the kind of resilience and trust we’ve built all year long.”
The victory capped an impressive season for Middleton, which finished with a 25-3 record. All three of the team’s losses came against teams that qualified for the High School National Invite (HSNI), and the team’s national ranking of 17th put them just one spot shy of earning a bid to that prestigious event.
Looking ahead, the team is well positioned for another strong run next year. They graduate only four seniors, with most of their top players returning.
This year’s success was fueled by a talented group of athletes who earned individual recognition including Natzke, Roth, and Booth, who were named First Team All-State. In addition, Jin and Middleton High School junior Russell Hellmer earned Second Team All-State honors.
The team’s thrilling victory showcased not only its talent but also its poise under pressure, cementing its status as one of the top programs in the nation.
Congratulations to the Varsity Boys Ultimate Frisbee team on a second consecutive state championship!
This is a guest post from Coach Ryan Natzke.
Photo credits: Koen Reiter (individual photo), Kristin Natzke (group photo)