Today in the MHSAA: 1/9/20
January 9, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A streak-ending upset on the ice and one of the winter’s first big events on the snow highlighted a Wednesday full of headliners indoors and out across Michigan.
1. Hockey: Division 3 No. 6 Grosse Pointe South scored the first goal given up by Division 1 top-ranked Detroit Catholic Central in more than 17 periods and went on to a 4-3 win – Observer & Eccentric
2. Skiing: Harbor Springs’ girls and Petoskey’s boys paced strong fields in winning Petoskey-Harbor Invitational titles – Petoskey News-Review Girls | Boys
3. Girls Basketball: Unbeaten Manton came back from an 11-point deficit to get past Maple City Glen Lake 58-54 – Cadillac News
4. Boys Basketball: Despite 30 points by Rapid River’s Tyler Sundling, Munising held on 54-50 to remain undefeated – Escanaba Daily Press
5. Girls Basketball: Niles trailed 9-0 early but came back to deliver Buchanan’s first loss, 48-40 – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
6. Gymnastics: Coldwater outpaced Saline by more than four points and in the process also qualified for Regional competition – Coldwater Daily Reporter
7. Hockey: Steven Miller scored his final two goals of a hat trick over the final five minutes to help Division 2 No. 8 Howell to a 6-4 win over Canton – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
8. Hockey: Davison edged Flint Powers 3-2 in a matchup of top programs from the Flint area – WJRT
9. Boys Basketball: Niles Brandywine handed Fennville its first loss, 61-49 – FOX 17
10. Boys Basketball: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s rode a big second quarter to a 61-44 win over Ann Arbor Pioneer – We Love Ann Arbor
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.)