Today in the MHSAA: 1/9/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
January 9, 2023
1. GIRLS BASKETBALL Sandusky downed Unionville-Sebewaing 42-28 as Sandusky coach Al DeMott became the state’s all-time winningest in girls basketball with 798 victories – Port Huron Times Herald
2. WRESTLING Division 3 top-ranked Dundee led the way with three champions and five runners-up at the prestigious Detroit Catholic Central Invitational – Michigan Grappler
3. HOCKEY Division 3 No. 1 Houghton defeated Division 1 No. 3 Brighton 6-0 and followed up with a 9-1 win over Novi – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
4. COMPETITIVE CHEER Allen Park was first in Division 2 and overall against top competition at its annual invitational – Southgate News-Herald
5. BOYS BASKETBALL Reigning Division 1 champion Warren De La Salle Collegiate edged Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 38-34 – Detroit News
6. WRESTLING Dundee also was first, Division 4 No. 2 New Lothrop second and No. 4 Bronson third at New Lothrop’s Hall of Fame Tournament – Coldwater Daily Reporter
7. BOWLING Onsted’s Sydney Nichols won her third Lenawee County individual championship and Tecumseh’s Owen Williams won his second – Adrian Daily Telegram
8. BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING Grand Rapids Northview – No. 7 in Lower Peninsula Division 2 – was first and LPD3 No. 6 Spring Lake second at Spring Lake’s invitational – Ludington Daily News
9. WRESTLING Division 3 No. 4 Richmond downed No. 8 Yale 42-22 during the first weekend of Blue Water Area Conference competition – The Sports Report
10. WRESTLING Benzie Central won the 50th Escanaba Elks Tournament, finishing first with Division 4 No. 5 Iron Mountain second and Division 3 No. 10 Gladstone fourth – Benzie Record Patriot
Also of note …
GIRLS BASKETBALL Ithaca’s Delaney Seaman went over 1,000 career points in her team’s win over Carrollton – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
BOYS BASKETBALL R.J. Taylor went over 1,000 career points as Grand Blanc downed East Lansing 65-51 at its Charlie Carmody Classic – Flint Journal
GIRLS BASKETBALL Bellaire downed Fife Lake Forest Area led by Jacey Sommers, who scored 27 points including the 1,000th of her career – Traverse City Record-Eagle
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.)