Today in the MHSAA: 11/17/15
November 17, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The MHSAA Volleyball Tournament continues with Quarterfinals tonight, so here’s a look at a team in each class – to go with today’s Second Half story on Cadillac – plus a report on this season’s Miss Volleyball, Gia Milana of Romeo.
Volleyball
In one of the least surprising awards races in a while, Romeo’s Gia Milana was named Miss Volleyball on Monday in advance of leading the reigning Class A champion against Traverse City West tonight – Macomb Daily
While Class A top-ranked Novi knows this final week well, it doesn’t know much about unranked Grosse Pointe North, its opponent tonight and one of the surprises this month – Oakland Press
Battle Creek Harper Creek, led by a strong senior crew, has improved from 21-25-10 three seasons ago to the No. 4-ranked team in Class B this fall – Battle Creek Enquirer
Laingsburg has a school record 43 wins and will play in an MHSAA Quarterfinal for the first time tonight when it faces Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central in Class C – Lansing State Journal
Class D No. 8 Mendon has necessary confidence heading into its Quarterfinal against reigning champion Battle Creek St. Philip, which eliminated Mendon in this round last season – Three Rivers Commercial-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.)