![Today In The MHSAA](/sites/default/files/2021-03/Today%20In%20The%20MHSAA_8.png)
Today in the MHSAA: 10/26/20
October 26, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The first round of the Boys Soccer Tournament concluded over the weekend with first-time District champions in Muskegon Oakridge and Clinton, while the Okemos girls were among those who outraced their ranking in cross country.
1. Boys Soccer: Muskegon Oakridge won its first District title in boys soccer, downing Howard City Tri County in a Division 3 championship game – Local Sports Journal
2. Boys Soccer: Clinton also won its first District soccer championship, downing Grass Lake in Division 3 – Adrian Daily Telegram
3. Boys Soccer: No. 2 (MPR) Traverse City West finished a season sweep of No. 8 Central with a Division 1 District title win – Traverse City Record-Eagle
4. Cross Country: The Okemos girls – honorable mentions in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – and No. 11 Brighton boys won Pre-Regionals at Huron Meadows – Livingston Daily
5. Boys Soccer: Kalamazoo Christian halted No. 15 (MPR) Hackett Catholic Prep’s District title streak at nine with a 2-1 win in Division 4 – JoeInsider.com
6. Cross Country: Ann Arbor Pioneer swept Division 1 Pre-Regional races; the Pioneers girls are ranked No. 4 and the boys are No. 5 – We Love Ann Arbor
7. Volleyball: Dexter swept Ypsilanti Lincoln, Chelsea and Tecumseh to finish a perfect run through the Southeastern Conference White – Chelsea Sun Times News
8. Boys Soccer: No. 14 (MPR) Leland finished a previously-postponed Division 4 District Final with a 2-0 win over No. 13 Maple City Glen Lake – Traverse City Record-Eagle
9. Volleyball: Sault Ste. Marie won three matches to finish a Straits Area Conference championship run – MI Sports Now
10 Boys Soccer: No. 4 (MPR) Petoskey shut out Cadillac 3-0 to finish a Division 2 District title run – Petoskey News-Review
![Holland West Ottawa Public Schools’ new athletics complex has been recognized as the top multi-field facility nationally by the American Sports Builders Association.](/sites/default/files/2023-12/231212_WestOttawa_2H.png)
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.)