Today in the MHSAA: 2/13/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 13, 2023
1. GYMNASTICS Farmington United won Coldwater’s annual Stick It for a Cure Invitational, and for the first time the host team had the top all-around finisher – Coldwater Daily Reporter
2. WRESTLING Michigan Grappler broke down the Individual Regional qualifiers by school total and included how many would be expected to return next season – Michigan Grappler
3. GIRLS BASKETBALL Calumet handed Escanaba its first loss of the season, 59-57 – Escanaba Daily Press
4. GIRLS BASKETBALL Vicksburg defeated Three Rivers 60-39 to claim its first Wolverine Conference title in the sport – Kalamazoo Gazette
5. HOCKEY No. 4 Clarkston downed No. 6 Lake Orion 7-2 to finish its run to the Oakland Activities Association Red championship, its first OAA title in more than a decade – Oakland Press
6. BOWLING Sterling Heights Stevenson’s girls and Utica Eisenhower’s boys finished undefeated seasons in the Macomb Area Conference Red; Stevenson’s girls are ranked No. 4 in Division 1, and Eisenhower’s boys are No. 3 – Macomb Daily
7. BOWLING The Division 1 No. 2 Midland and No. 6 Davison boys shared the Saginaw Valley League title after Davison’s 21-9 win – Midland Daily News
8. GIRLS BASKETBALL Makenna Uitola went over 1,000 career points in Ontonagon’s 42-25 win over Wakefield-Marenisco – Upper Michigan Source
9. COMPETITIVE CHEER Southgate Anderson was first and Riverview second at the Airport Invitational – We Love Dexter
10. WRESTLING Benzie Central qualified all 14 of its wrestlers to Division 4 Regional competition – Benzie Record Patriot
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.)