Today in the MHSAA: 12/18/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
December 18, 2023
1. BOWLING Flint Kearsley swept championships at the Bay City John Glenn Holiday Invitational against fields including several of the state’s top teams – WNEM
2. WRESTLING Division 1 No. 9 Oxford followed three individual champions to an Oakland County team title – Oakland Pres
3. WRESTLING Division 1 No. 10 Westland John Glenn claimed the Wayne County championship – Southgate News-Herald
4. COMPETITIVE CHEER Reigning Division 2 champion Gibraltar Carlson finished less than a point ahead of 2023 Finals runner-up Allen Park to win the Flat Rock Invitational – Southgate News-Herald
5. WRESTLING Division 2 No. 3 Bay City John Glenn won its four Bay County Championship matches by a combined score of 323-6 – Bay City Times
6. HOCKEY Division 1 No. 4 Hartland and goalie Gaige Dieugenio shut out No. 2 Brighton 5-0 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
7. GIRLS BASKETBALL Clio defeated Ortonville Brandon 66-61, but Riley Abney became Brandon’s all-time leading scorer – Oakland Press
8. WRESTLING Fremont won Belding’s John Baum Invitational, and Tee Ward claimed his 150th career victory – CatchMark SportsNet
9. GIRLS BASKETBALL Grand Haven’s 56-27 win over Traverse City West gave coach Kim Kowalczyk-Fulmer her 400th career victory – Grand Haven Tribune
10. WRESTLING Division 3 No. 3 Whitehall followed nine individual finalists to the team championship at the Hart Bosse Memorial – CatchMark SportsNet
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.)