Today in the MHSAA: 10/29/18
October 29, 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.
Lower Peninsula cross country teams ran for their chance to compete at this weekend’s Finals at Michigan International Speedway – with at least a pair of first-time Regional champs in the sport – and the final boys soccer Regional titles were awarded over the weekend as well. (We didn’t find coverage, but in addition to three shown below, Hudsonville Unity Christian and Burton Genesee Christian also moved on to this week’s soccer Semifinals.)
1. Cross Country: The Division 3 No. 15 Bloomingdale girls and No. 10 Berrien Springs boys won their first Regional cross country titles – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
2. Cross Country: The No. 3 Brighton boys won their first Regional title since 1993, and the No. 10 (tied) Pinckney girls dominated in Division 1 races – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
3. Cross Country: Petoskey’s girls (No. 3) won their first Regional title since 2003, while the Fremont boys (also No. 3) also claimed a title in Division 2 – Petoskey News-Review
4. Boys soccer: Warren DeLaSalle held on for a 2-1 overtime win over Utica Eisenhower in a Division 1 Regional Final – Macomb Daily
5. Cross Country: Ann Arbor Pioneer’s girls (No. 3) and boys (No. 2) teams swept Division 1 Regional championships with Saline (No. 7 both teams) finishing second in both races – We Love Ann Arbor
6. Cross Country: The No. 3 Grandville Calvin Christian girls won their seventh straight Division 3 Regional title – Grand Rapids Press
7. Boys Soccer: No. 9 Ludington repeated as a Regional champion, downing Muskegon Orchard View 5-1 in Division 3 – Ludington Daily News
8. Boys Soccer: Top-ranked Grosse Ile moved on to this week’s Semifinals with a big Division 3 Regional Final win over Brooklyn Columbia Central – Southgate News-Herald
9. Cross Country: The top-ranked Northville girls won their seventh straight Division 1 Regional title, and the top-ranked Plymouth boys also repeated – Observer & Eccentric Girls | Boys
10. Cross Country: In Division 4, the No. 8 Ubly girls extended their Regional title streak to five, while the No. 7 Unionville-Sebewaing boys won for the first time since 2010 – Huron Daily Tribune Girls | Boys
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.)