Today in the MHSAA: 10/31/16
October 31, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Regionals all over the Lower Peninsula determined the fields for this weekend’s races at Michigan International Speedway – click for all results – while three more boys soccer teams secured Semifinal bids.
Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state.
Cross Country
The Caledonia boys, No. 7 in Lower Peninsula Division 1, won their first Regional title in eight years, while Battle Creek Lakeview’s girls (also ranked No. 7) also earned a Division 1 title at Portage Central – Grand Rapids Press
Rockford’s boys (No. 6) won their third straight Division 1 Regional title led by individual Finals favorite Cole Johnson; Rockford’s girls (No. 10) also won ahead of honorable mention Grand Haven and No. 4 Traverse City Central – Grand Rapids Press
The No. 6 Brighton girls won their latest matchup with No. 5 Pinckney by a point in a Division 1 Regional; honorable mention Okemos won the boys championship at Huron Meadows Metropark – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
Boys Soccer
Reigning Division 4 champion and current No. 6-ranked Burton Genesee Christian earned a return to the Semifinals with a 3-0 win over Marlette in Division 4 – The Burton View
No. 3 Ann Arbor Greenhills edged top-ranked Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 1-0 to earn a Division 4 Semifinal with Genesee Christian.
Division 3 No. 13 Lansing Catholic downed No. 6 Grosse Ile in a shootout after the teams were tied 2-2 at the end of overtime – Southgate News-Herald
Girls Swimming & Diving
Northville, ranked No. 6 in Lower Peninsula Division 1, won the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Central title for the sixth straight season, finishing first in nine of 12 events at the league meet – Observer & Eccentric
Volleyball
Rogers City and Posen won North Star League championships at the conference tournament, Rogers City the Big Dipper title and Posen the Little Dipper division – Alpena News
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.)