Today in the MHSAA: 1/12/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
January 12, 2023
1. COMPETITIVE CHEER Hart won the first West Michigan Conference meet since the league expanded in the fall, with Mason County Central second – CatchMark SportsNet
2. BOYS BASKETBALL Bad Axe won a key Greater Thumb Conference West matchup over Reese, 57-55 – Bay City Times
3. WRESTLING Lake Orion won the last five matches to come back and edge Bloomfield Hills 39-35 – Oakland Press
4. GYMNASTICS Jackson Area defeated Coldwater by just under 11 points at Coldwater’s 12th annual Jillian Crist Memorial meet – Coldwater Daily Reporter
5. HOCKEY Division 1 No. 5 Hartland won its rivalry game with Howell 5-0 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
6. HOCKEY Two Midland players had hat tricks in the Division 2 No. 9 Chemics’ 7-2 win over Freeland/Nouvel/Swan Valley – Midland Daily News
7. GIRLS BASKETBALL Ryleigh Zinn starred as Genesee edged Montrose 57-53 – Flint Journal
8. GIRLS BASKETBALL Morenci remained undefeated with a 54-41 win over Erie Mason – Adrian Daily Telegram
9. GIRLS BASKETBALL Macomb Dakota rolled from a fast start to a 70-41 win over Utica Eisenhower – Macomb Daily
10. GIRLS BASKETBALL Traverse City St. Francis improved to 7-1 with a 41-18 win over East Jordan – MI Sports Now
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.)