Today in the MHSAA: 10/8/18
October 8, 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.
1. Cross County: The Portage Invitational again drew some of the best competition in the Lower Peninsula, with champions including the Northville girls (No. 1) and Ann Arbor Pioneer boys (No. 4) in Division 1, East Grand Rapids’ girls (No. 1) and Chelsea’s boys (No. 1) in Division 2, Hart’s girls (No. 1) and Shepherd’s boys (No. 7) in Division 3 and Saugatuck’s girls (No. 2) and boys (No. 1) sweeping Division 4 – Athletic.net
2. Cross Country: Clarkston’s boys (LPD1 No. 3) won their first Oakland County championship since 1999; the girls race could not be completed because of rainy weather – Oakland Press
3. Girls Swimming & Diving: Utica Eisenhower clinched its fifth straight Macomb County championship – Macomb Daily
4. Cross Country: Romeo swept the girls and boys championships at the Macomb County Invitational – Macomb Daily
5. Cross Country: Salem’s girls (LPD1 No. 4) and Plymouth’s boys (LPD1 No. 2) were Wayne County Invitational champions – Observer & Eccentric
6. Girls Swimming & Diving: LPD2 top-ranked Farmington Hills Mercy reigned again as Oakland County champion – Oakland Press
7. Cross Country – The Brighton boys (LPD1 No. 1) and Fenton girls won Greater Flint Championships titles – Athletic.net
8. Boys Soccer: Division 4 top-ranked Muskegon Western Michigan Christian and No. 3 Leland played to a 1-1 draw – Grand Haven Tribune
9. Volleyball: Onsted upset Division 3 No. 7 Centreville in the final to win the Sturgis Invitational – Adrian Daily Telegram
10. Cross Country: The Sault Ste. Marie boys and South Lyon girls won championships at the Sault Elks Invitational – Sault Ste. Marie Evening 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.)