Today in the MHSAA: 1/23/17
January 23, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
With the start of the wrestling postseason just under three weeks away, Michigan’s best on the mat continued tuning up against opponents from all divisions in highlighting this weekend’s action across the state.
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.
Boys Basketball
Mount Pleasant downed Saginaw for the first time since 2010, 68-60 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
Ludington’s Calvin Hackert went over 1,000 career points in his team’s 69-43 win over Muskegon Catholic Central – Ludington Daily News
Bowling
Utica Ford’s girls repeated as Macomb County champions downing Warren Mott by 125 pins in the final match of the county tournament – Macomb Daily
Clinton Township Chippewa Valley won the boys Macomb County title, downing Roseville by 47 pins in the final – Macomb Daily
Competitive Cheer
Adrian Madison won the Division 4 competition and scored the highest of any team at the Whitmore Lake Trojan Invitational – Adrian Daily Telegram
Hockey
Jackson extended its series streak to four straight over rival Jackson Lumen Christi with a 5-2 win – Jackson Citizen Patriot
Division 2 No. 10 Marquette came back from a 5-2 loss to No. 2 Birmingham Brother Rice on Friday to down Canton 4-2 on Saturday at the Sault Ste. Marie Lions Showcase – Marquette Mining Journal
Boys Swimming & Diving
Lower Peninsula Division 1 No. 10 Detroit Catholic Central repeated in winning the prestigious East Grand Rapids Invitational ahead of the host Pioneers (top-ranked in LPD3) and Hudsonville – Observer & Eccentric
Battle Creek Lakeview won Battle Creek’s all-city championship for the 26th straight season – Battle Creek Enquirer
Wrestling
Division 3 No. 4 Whitehall won its 11th consecutive Greater Muskegon Athletic Association tournament with four champions plus six more runners-up – Muskegon Chronicle
Division 2 top-ranked Lowell won its Gary Rivers Memorial Tournament, downing Division 1 No. 6 Grandville and then No. 2 Davison 45-22 in the final after Davison had beaten reigning Division 1 champion (and current No. 3) Hartland in a semifinal – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
Division 3 No. 3 Remus Chippewa Hills won the Williamston Jim Mooney Classic ahead of reigning Division 1 champion (and current No. 7) Brighton – Big Rapids News
Division 3 No. 1 Dundee claimed the Hudson Super 16 Tournament ahead of the host Tigers (No. 1 in Division 4), Division 2 No. 4 St. Johns and Division 1 No. 5 Oxford – Adrian Daily Telegram
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.)