Today In The MHSAA: 10/20/21
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 20, 2021
1. CROSS COUNTRY Manton swept the final Highland Conference jamborees to also clinch a sweep of league titles; Manton’s girls are ranked No. 15 in Lower Peninsula Division 3 – Cadillac News
2. CROSS COUNTRY The Ludington girls and Manistee boys clinched Lakes 8 Activities Conference championships – Ludington Daily News
3. CROSS COUNTRY The Sand Creek girls and Erie Mason boys locked up Tri-County Conference championships – Adrian Daily Telegram
4. CROSS COUNTRY The Remus Chippewa Hills girls won the final league jamboree to claim the Central State Activities Association Gold title – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
5. BOYS SOCCER Top-ranked Troy avenged last season’s playoff loss to No. 10 Troy Athens with a 1-0 win in a Division 1 District Semifinal – Oakland Press
6. VOLLEYBALL New Baltimore Anchor Bay defeated Division 1 No. 8 Macomb Dakota in four sets to pull into a first-place tie with the Cougars in the Macomb Area Conference Red – Macomb Daily
7. BOYS SOCCER Byron’s Justin Frye made a shootout save and then scored the game winner of a 3-2 Division 4 District Semifinal victory over Burton Genesee Christian – Owosso Argus-Press
8. BOYS SOCCER Tyler Hahn’s late goal pushed No. 4 Fenton past Goodrich 2-1 in Division 2 – Flint Journal
9. BOYS SOCCER Top-ranked Hartford avenged last season’s District loss to St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran with 4-0 District Semifinal win in Division 4 – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
10. BOYS SOCCER No. 13 Ann Arbor Skyline scored two overtime goals to advance in Division 1 with a 3-1 win over Saline – 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.)