Today in the MHSAA: 1/16/20
January 16, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A major matchup of two of the Upper Peninsula’s best in girls basketball and a streak-ending performance on the wrestling mat highlight Wednesday’s headliners from across the state.
1. Girls Basketball: St. Ignace handed Pickford its first loss this season, 70-48, in a rematch from last season’s District – MI Sports Now
2. Wrestling: Union City earned its first win over Springport since 2009, 42-33, to make a major move in the Big 8 Conference – Coldwater Daily Reporter
3. Wrestling: No. 3 Brighton earned a big win over No. 4 Hartland, although the Eagles were missing a number of starters because of illness – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
4. Girls Basketball: Lauren Laures became the second 1,000-point scorer in Pinconning history in leading her team to a 37-20 win over Gladwin – Bay City Times
5. Girls Basketball: Jayden Weber also went over 1,000 points for her career in leading East Jordan past Central Lake 63-46 – Petoskey News-Review
6. Girls Basketball: Manistee Catholic Central delivered Walkerville’s first loss this season, 46-40 – MI Sports Now
7. Boys Basketball: Traverse City St. Francis won a matchup of league leaders, 40-32 – Up North Live
8. Wrestling: Also in the Big 8, Reading edged Jonesville 42-39 in a matchup of league contenders – Hillsdale Daily News
9. Boys Basketball: Reese came back from an early 14-point deficit to get past Bad Axe 61-56 in overtime – Bay City Times
10. Hockey: White Lake Lakeland won a high-scoring matchup 6-5 over Milford – Oakland Press
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.)