Today in the MHSAA: 10/13/16
October 13, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Melvindale won its first boys soccer league title ever Wednesday night and Saline won its first volleyball title in what’s believed to be “a long time,” highlighting action from across the state.
Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state.
Cross Country
From Wednesday, Marquette’s top-ranked girls won their 17th straight Great Northern Conference championship, while the boys, No. 3 in Upper Peninsula Division 1, won their fourth straight league title – Escanaba Daily Press
Boys Soccer
Melvindale clinched its first boys soccer league championship, taking the Downriver League title with a 2-1 win over Brownstown Woodhaven, which entered the night tied for first – Southgate News-Herald
Division 1 No. 11 Detroit Catholic Central claimed the Detroit Catholic League A-B championship with a 4-2 win over Division 2 No. 7 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood – Oakland Press
Division 1 No. 17 East Kentwood downed No. 16 Grand Haven 2-0 – Grand Haven Tribune
St. Clair downed Marysville 1-0 to avenge last month’s loss to the rival Vikings – Port Huron Times Herald
Volleyball
Reigning Class C champion Bronson, ranked No. 2 this fall, continued another strong run with sweeps of Parchment and Class B No. 3 Buchanan, while Buchanan beat Class D No. 2 Mendon and Mendon swept Parchment – Sturgis Journal
Class A No. 8 Saline clinched a long-awaited Southeastern Conference Red championship with a four-set win over Monroe, moving to 30-4 overall – Saline Post
Holland West Ottawa Athletics Complex Recognized with National Award
December 12, 2023
Holland West Ottawa Public Schools’ new athletics complex, with architectural firm GMB, has been recognized as the top multi-field facility nationally by the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the national organization for builders and suppliers of materials for athletic facilities.
West Ottawa’s new stadium consists of two turf playing fields. The west field was designed deliberately without a surrounding track to bring the stands and field closer together with a central tunnel beneath the grandstands for the home team to enter onto the field. The same synthetic turf, light posts, and state-of-the-art audio/video systems are utilized on both fields for an equitable experience for all users.
Multiple ground-level entry points with access to the fields, barrier-free locker rooms and multiple seating options with elevator access also create accessibility for spectators, players, coaches, and support staff.
“This facility allows our students the opportunity to play in one of the premier complexes in the state of Michigan,” said Jeff Malloch, assistant superintendent of business services at West Ottawa Public Schools. “We have seen continued interest in lacrosse, football, and soccer, and this complex will be utilized by our community youth from elementary age to high school student-athletes.”
Adding elevated fan experiences, such as a concourse level between the upper and lower sections of the home stands, bigger bleachers, and updated concession stands and restrooms establish a venue for multiple sports and attract the entire community to utilize the facility.
“This is a one-of-a-kind facility for West Michigan, and it’s been wonderful to see student-athletes from across the state enjoy the complex’s unique amenities,” said Nate Bosch, a landscape architect with GMB. “The collaboration needed to make this project come to life was an inspiring process to be a part of, and we are so pleased to celebrate this accomplishment with West Ottawa.”
This is the first time a GMB project has been awarded a multi-field facility of the year honor by the ASBA. GMB also has received four Project of the Year honors in the outdoor tennis category and 20 distinguished awards from ASBA for other athletic facility projects over the past 12 years.
(Photos by M-Buck Studio.)