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Today in the MHSAA: 1/20/17
January 20, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A matchup of two of the top wrestling teams in Michigan and some nail-biting finishes in girls basketball made Thursday night an exciting one, especially across the Lower Peninsula.
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.
Girls Basketball
Sandusky remained undefeated and dealt Harbor Beach its first loss, 45-35, in a matchup of Greater Thumb East and statewide Class C powers – Huron Daily Tribune
Reigning Class A champion Warren Cousino won a matchup of contenders for this season’s title, 66-45 over Port Huron Northern – Macomb Daily
Comstock moved to 10-1 and broke a Niles Brandywine 83-game home winning streak going back to 2009 with a 46-38 win – Kalamazoo Gazette
Kourtney John’s basket with seven seconds to play gave Sanford Meridian a 39-38 win over Farwell – Saginaw News
Clarkston didn’t lead until the final minute, but came away with a key 50-47 victory over North Farmington – Oakland Press
Alpena also earned a big win with a buzzer beater, downing Tawas 45-43 – Alpena News
Boys Basketball
Napoleon equaled last season’s win total and extended its best start since 2010-11 with a 50-36 win over Grass Lake – Jackson Citizen Patriot
Competitive Cheer
From Wednesday, Breckenridge scored a meet high 743.20 points to finish first of 18 teams at the Sanford Meridian Mustang Cheer Corral – Midland Daily News
Boys Swimming & Diving
Howell’s Caleb Balgaard upped his school diving record to 285.45 in the Highlanders’ win over Hartland – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
Wrestling
Top-ranked Detroit Catholic Central got past No. 2 Davison 32-22 in a matchup of the best in Division 1 – Detroit Free Press
Alma clinched a share of its first league title since 1992 with a pair of wins over Shepherd and Bullock Creek – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
![Holland West Ottawa Public Schools’ new athletics complex has been recognized as the top multi-field facility nationally by the American Sports Builders Association.](/sites/default/files/2023-12/231212_WestOttawa_2H.png)
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.)