Today in the MHSAA: 12/9/15
December 9, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Falling school records and a perfect bowling game highlight today's headlines covering a variety of sports across the state.
Girls Basketball
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart senior center Averi Gamble scored a school-record 40 points, breaking the previous mark of 34 set in 1980, in the Irish’s 67-23 win over Beal City – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
Despite 25 points by South Lyon East’s Peyton Jones, Saline hung on for a 47-42 win after leading by only one point with 20 seconds to play – Ann Arbor News
Boys Basketball
Spencer Littleson scored 42 points in arguably the night’s most exciting opener, sinking 18 of 20 free-throw attempts as Rochester Adams outlasted Auburn Hills Avondale 77-69 in overtime – Oakland Press
East Jordan’s Jordan Weber broke his school’s career scoring record of 1,170 points, set in 1986, by upping his total to 1,193 with 24 in a 66-20 win over Mancelona – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Midland trailed Bay City Western by 19 with 11 minutes to play, but knocked down five 3-pointers to climb back for a 53-43 win – Midland Daily News
Battle Creek Central won its first game under new coach Durant Crum in dramatic fashion, on a putback with five seconds to play to beat Jackson 59-58 – Battle Creek Enquirer
Boys Bowling
Wayland senior Cameron Heintzelman rolled his first 300 in a match Monday against Zeeland East, topping his previous high of 289 – Grand Rapids Press
Girls Swimming & Diving
Girls and boys swimming and diving seasons are both in the winter in the Upper Peninsula, and Kingsford’s Peyton Johnson broker her own school record in the 200 individual medley to highlight performances in the Flivvers’ meet with Marquette – Iron Mountain 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.)