Today in the MHSAA: 2/22/18
February 22, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.
Today's Top 10
1. Girls Skiing: Harbor Springs won its 10th straight Lake Michigan Conference title by claiming the final conference race – Petoskey News-Review
2. Girls Basketball: Trenton downed Wyandotte Roosevelt 35-34 on a final-minute free throw to move into first place alone in the Downriver League – Southgate News Herald
3. Boys Basketball: Manton handed McBain just its second loss, 47-38, to create a first-place tie atop the Highland Conference – Cadillac News
4. Boys Basketball: Cade Peterson went over 1,000 points for his career as Maple City Glen Lake created a three-way tie for first in the Northwest Conference with a 53-47 win over Frankfort – Traverse City Record-Eagle
5. Boys Skiing: The Great North Alpine co-op team claimed its side of the Lake Michigan Conference title, by a point over Harbor Springs – Traverse City Record-Eagle
6. Hockey: Division 1 No. 3 Brighton will carry plenty of momentum into next week’s playoff opener after a 2-0 win over Division 2 No. 4 Birmingham Brother Rice – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
7. Girls Basketball: Negaunee closed out a 20-0 regular-season finish with a 72-61 win over Marquette – Marquette Mining Journal
8. Girls Basketball: Onsted’s Taylor Hutchinson went over 1,000 career points in a 73-25 win over Clinton – Adrian Daily Telegram
9. Girls Basketball: Big Rapids Crossroads fell 66-55 to Vestaburg, but Britton Angell went over 1,000 career points in the defeat – Big Rapids News
10. Boys Basketball: Bear Lake fell 58-52 to Onekama, but Kaiden Hejl went over 1,000 points for his career – MI Sports Now
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.)