Today In The MHSAA: 12/15/21
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
December 15, 2021
1. GIRLS BASKETBALL Sault Ste. Marie scored seven points over the final 23 seconds to edge Gaylord 59-57 – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News
2. WRESTLING Gibraltar Carlson defeated Dearborn Fordson and Dearborn Heights Crestwood, and Carlson’s Deisel Gessner won his two matches by pin in a combined 46 seconds – Monroe News
3. HOCKEY Riverview Gabriel Richard scored the game’s lone goal with 1:02 to play to get past Detroit Country Day – Oakland Press
4. BOYS BASKETBALL Traverse City St. Francis opened with a key league win, 59-40 over Charlevoix – Traverse City Record-Eagle
5. GIRLS BASKETBALL Saginaw Swan Valley used a strong defensive performance to get past Reese 54-43 – Saginaw News
6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Owosso followed sophomore Skotti Ball-Duley to a 42-34 win over Fenton – Owosso Argus-Press
7. GIRLS BASKETBALL Kalamazoo Central outlasted St. Joseph 76-73 in double overtime – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
8. GIRLS BASKETBALL Portage Central came back from a halftime deficit to defeat Richland Gull Lake 49-34 – Kalamazoo Gazette
9. BOYS BASKETBALL Muskegon opened its season with a 59-35 win over Traverse City Central – Local Sports Journal
10. BOYS BASKETBALL Sub Ashton Tomassi was super in Brighton’s 66-47 win over Lapeer – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
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.)