Today in the MHSAA: 10/19/18
October 19, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.
1. Cross Country: The Northville girls, top-ranked in Lower Peninsula Division 1, and No. 2 Plymouth boys clinched Kensington Lakes Activities Association championships, Plymouth ahead of top-ranked Brighton and Northville for the seventh straight season – Observer & Eccentric girls | boys
2. Boys Soccer: Division 2 No. 7 Fenton downed Linden 2-1 in overtime to claim a Division 2 District title – WEYI
3. Boys soccer: Jackson came back from a two-goal deficit to force overtime and a shootout and come away with an upset of No. 6 Okemos in a Division 1 District Semifinal – Jackson Citizen-Patriot
4. Boys Soccer: New Haven claimed a Division 4 District title with a 4-3 win over Memphis – Macomb Daily
5. Boys Soccer: No. 2 Hudsonville Unity Christian locked up a Division 3 District title with a 3-0 win over Wyoming Lee – WOOD TV
6. Boys Soccer: Leland downed Harbor Springs 5-0 to also claim a Division 4 District title – WPBN
7. Cross Country: The Rockford girls and Hudsonville boys, both ranked No. 8 in LPD1, claimed Ottawa-Kent Conference Red championships – WOOD TV
8. Cross Country: The New Baltimore Anchor Bay girls had one of the most dominating performances at the Macomb Area Conference championship races – Macomb Daily
9. Volleyball: Division 3 No. 6 Unionville-Sebewaing clinched the Greater Thumb Conference West title with a sweep of Vassar – Huron Daily Tribune
Cross Country: Pinckney’s girls, tied for No. 10 in LPD1, repeated as Southeastern Conference White champions – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
Also of note …
Cross Country: From Tuesday, Yale’s boys (LPD2 honorable mention) repeated as Blue Water Area Conference champions – Port Huron Times-Herald
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.)