Today in the MHSAA: 12/12/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
December 12, 2022
1. GIRLS BASKETBALL Genesee’s Ryleigh Zinn went over 1,000 career points in her school’s 63-50 win over Flint Southwestern, scoring a school-record 43 points in reaching the milestone – Flint Journal
2. WRESTLING Division 1 No. 3 Hartland was first and Division 3 No. 4 Richmond second at the latter’s George Hamblin Invitational – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
3. HOCKEY Division 1 top-ranked Detroit Catholic Central edged No. 4 Brighton 2-1 at the Adam Mitchell KLAA/MIHL Showcase – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
4. WRESTLING Several of the state’s top wrestlers faced off at the Grappler Gold Invitational – Michigan Grappler
5. BOYS BASKETBALL Saginaw Arthur Hill pulled away from Freeland late for a 50-45 win to headline the Louis O’Neal Classic – Saginaw News
6. HOCKEY Division 3 top-ranked Houghton came back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Division 2 No. 7 Saginaw Heritage 6-2 – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
7. HOCKEY Division 2 No. 8 Alpena closed its weekend at the Division 3 Challenge with a 3-2 win over Division 3 No. 4 Riverview Gabriel Richard – WBKB
8. BOYS BASKETBALL Petoskey defeated Brighton and then Grand Ledge in overtime to win its home tournament title – Petoskey News-Review
9. WRESTLING Cadillac moved ahead of Gladwin during the championship round to claim the Manton Invitational – Cadillac News
10. BOYS BASKETBALL Rockford edged Grand Rapids Catholic Central 68-64 at Calvin University – FOX 17
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.)