Today in the MHSAA: 10/2/19
October 2, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Notable accomplishments from all over filled a busy Wednesday, and we also share today good news about a Michigan high school alumnus-now-world champion, realignment of the state’s largest league and a sportsmanship story that rang out loud and clear.
1. Girls Golf: Northville – ranked No. 1 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – shot a 313 to outpace runner-up and No. 3-ranked Brighton and win the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Tournament – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
2. Boys Soccer: Division 1 top-ranked Troy Athens clinched the Oakland Activities Association Red championship with a 5-0 win over Rochester Adams – Oakland Press
3. Volleyball: Hudsonville – No. 2 in Division 1 – edged Division 2 top-ranked Grand Rapids Christian 3-2 – FOX 17
4. Boys Soccer: Division 1 No. 2 Okemos defeated Division 3 No. 7 Williamston, and D3 No. 6 Lansing Catholic downed Division 2 No. 4 DeWitt to advance to the Capital Area Activities Conference Gold Cup championship game – Lansing State Journal
5. Girls Swimming & Diving: LPD3 No. 8 Holland Christian got past rival and LPD2 honorable mention Holland 107-76 – Holland Sentinel
6. Volleyball: Division 4 No. 1 Southfield Christian downed No. 8 Auburn Hills Oakland Christian in four games – Oakland Press
7. Boys Soccer: Lake Orion drew with Division 1 No. 10 Bloomfield Hills to open up the OAA White title race to four teams heading into the league finale later this week – Oakland Press
8. Volleyball: Melina Robertson set a Sault Ste. Marie career assists record during a three-set win over Boyne City – MI Sports Now
9. Boys Soccer: Traverse City West and Division 2 No. 15 Gaylord drew 2-2, with the second-place Blue Devils adding a tie to the Titans’ otherwise perfect Big North Conference-winning record – Traverse City Record-Eagle
10. Girls Swimming & Diving: LPD2 No. 6 Midland Dow traveled to St. Johns and swept the Redwings and honorable mention Fenton as Claire Newman swam to three pool records – Midland Daily News
Also of note …
O-K Conference: The Ottawa-Kent Conference approved a realignment proposal after two previous failed to pass – Grand Rapids Press
Track & Field – Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills 2015 graduate Donavan Brazier broke a 34-year-old American record in winning the 800-meter world championship – FOX 17
Band: Maple City Glen Lake doesn’t have a marching band, and Fife Lake Forest Area’s football team isn’t finishing the season – so Glen Lake brought Forest Area’s band to play at its game Friday – Up North Live
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.)