Today in the MHSAA: 10/21/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 21, 2022
1. BOYS SOCCER Top-ranked Grand Rapids Catholic Central edged No. 3 South Christian 2-0 to clinch a Division 3 District title – FOX 17
2. BOYS SOCCER Top-ranked Troy outlasted No. 7 Berkley in a shootout to claim a Division 1 District Final win – Oakland Press
3. BOYS SOCCER No. 10 Salem clinched a fourth-straight District title with a 2-0 win over No. 9 Northville in Division 1 – Observer & Eccentric
4. BOYS SOCCER No. 4 Imlay City earned a Division 3 District title with a shootout win over No. 11 Macomb Lutheran North – Port Huron Times Herald
5. BOYS SOCCER Drew Pearson scored three goals as No. 2 Detroit Catholic Central defeated No. 13 South Lyon 5-0 in Division 1 – Oakland Press
6. BOYS SOCCER No. 6 Holland Christian also is advancing in Division 3 thanks to a 4-0 win over No. 15 Fennville – Holland Sentinel
7. VOLLEYBALL Rochester clinched the Oakland Activities Association White championship with a four-set win over Berkley – Oakland Press
8. CROSS COUNTRY The Holland West Ottawa girls and Grand Haven boys won Ottawa-Kent Conference Red championship races; the West Ottawa girls are ranked No. 2 in Lower Peninsula Division 2, and Grand Haven’s boys are No. 7 – Holland Sentinel
9. BOYS SOCCER No. 3 Rockford clinched its first District title in 15 years with a 2-0 win over East Kentwood in Division 1 – FOX 17
10. BOYS SOCCER Mason continued its late-season surge with a Division 2 District title win over Pinckney – Lansing State Journal
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.)