Today in the MHSAA: 1/7/16
January 7, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The first big wrestling weeknight of 2016 included matchups of top-ranked teams in Divisions 1 and 3 in addition to exciting finishes in hockey and a record night in boys basketball.
Boys Basketball
Howard City Tri-County’s Colton Harris qualified for the MHSAA record book with 11 3-pointers on the way to 41 points in a 71-55 win over Kent City – Grand Rapids Press
Girls Basketball
Otisville LakeVille scored with eight seconds left in regulation to force overtime, then got past Millington 50-43 – Saginaw News
Ice Hockey
Warren DeLaSalle earned a 4-3 win over Trenton with an overtime goal two minutes into the extra period – Oakland Press
White Lake Lakeland scored with just fewer than 24 seconds to play to get past Waterford United 6-5 – Oakland Press
Wrestling
Division 1 No. 3 Davison earned an impressive 29-23 victory over No. 2 Detroit Catholic Central – Shamrock Wrestling
Rockford edged Grand Haven 30-28 on a technical fall by Andy Hanson in the final match – Grand Rapids Press
Manchester junior Ethan Woods won the 100th match of his career as his team swept a pair over Brownstown-Woodhaven and Union City – Jackson Citizen-Patriot
Whitehall downed Ludington and Montague to increase its regular-season winning streak to 31 straight matches – Muskegon Chronicle
Remus Chippewa Hills won a matchup of ranked teams in Division 3; the No. 5 Warriors downed No. 9 Howard City Tri-County – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
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.)