Today in the MHSAA: 12/18/17
December 18, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.
Today's Top 10
1. Hockey: Division 1 No. 2 Detroit Catholic Central came out on top in a matchup of arguably the best teams in Michigan, downing top-ranked Brighton 3-0 in the MIHL-KLAA Challenge – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
2. Hockey: Division 3 No. 7 Houghton added a big win over a larger downstate opponent, 4-1 over Division 1 No. 7 Utica Eisenhower – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
3. Hockey: Division 2 No. 5 Birmingham Brother Rice continued its hot streak against Hartland, downing the No. 2-ranked Eagles 4-1 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
4. Boys Basketball: Clutch 3-point shooting by a pair of sophomores helped Saginaw get past rival Arthur Hill 69-61 – Saginaw News
5. Cheer: Hudson rose to the top of a strong field of Division 4 teams at the Onsted Invitational – Adrian Daily Telegram
6. Wrestling: Division 1 No. 5 Westland John Glenn won the Wayne County Championships by 24.5 points ahead of runner-up Brownstown Woodhaven – Southgate News Herald
7. Wrestling: Division 1 No. 7 Oxford claimed a second straight Oakland County championship, ahead of runner-up Clarkston – Oakland Press
8. Wrestling: Niles made a major statement at the Henry Wilk Classic at Mishawaka Penn in Indiana, defeating the host for what was believed to be the first time in half a century – South Bend Tribune
9. Wrestling: Division 2 top-ranked Lowell nearly doubled up the field at the Kent County Championships, with Byron Center second – Grand Rapids Press
10. Wrestling: Essexville Garber won its second straight Bay County championship by downing Pinconning in the final match – Bay City Times
Also of note …
Boys Basketball: Detroit Henry Ford Academy’s Trevion Williams put up an incredible stat line Friday, with 22 points, 36 rebounds, six assists and six steals in a win over Detroit University Prep Science & Math – Detroit Free Press
Boys Swimming & Diving: From Tuesday, Midland Dow (No. 10 in Lower Peninsula Division 2) won its Dan Pangborn Invitational ahead of No. 4 Grosse Pointe South and top-ranked Dexter in a meet using a format that emphasized depth – Midland Daily News
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.)