Today in the MHSAA: 1/17/17
January 17, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Michigan’s wrestling superpowers put together another strong weekend of competition matching up against each other and one of the best in all of the Midwest as well.
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.
Boys Basketball
Marquette rallied late to come back and beat Negaunee 57-53 in a matchup of two of the best in the Upper Peninsula – Marquette Mining Journal
Girls Basketball
From Friday, Ithaca’s Kayla Belles scored her 1,000th point although just a junior in leading the Yellowjackets to a 48-32 win over Saginaw Valley Lutheran – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
Bowling
Waterford Mott’s girls got past Lake Orion and then Oxford to win the Oakland County Invitational – Oakland Press
The Oxford boys downed South Lyon in the championship match to win their Oakland County tournament – Oakland Press
Hockey
Division 1 No. 5 Northville downed Division 2 No. 8 Novi 5-4 in the annual outdoor game at Detroit’s Clark Park – Observer & Eccentric
Boys Swimming & Diving
Lower Peninsula Division 1 No. 4 Novi won the West Bloomfield Laker Invitational for the fifth straight year, scoring more than 100 points higher than the rest of the field – Observer & Eccentric
Wrestling
Division 2 No. 1 Lowell continued its surge with wins over Division 3 No. 2 Richmond and No. 4 Whitehall at the Red Arrows’ home duals – Grand Rapids Press
Reigning Division 1 champion (and current No. 3) Hartland claimed the Michigan Duals title at Bay City Western with a 5-0 record including wins over No. 8 Westland John Glenn, Roscommon and Division 3 No. 3 Remus Chippewa Hills – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
Division 1 No. 1 Detroit Catholic Central finished 3-1 at its Super Duals, beating No. 7 Brighton, Division 4 No. 1 Hudson and Division 2 No. 4 St. Johns but falling to nationally-acclaimed Lakewood St. Edward of Ohio – Observer & Eccentric
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.)