Today in the MHSAA: 2/28/17
February 28, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The Michigan high school skiing season came to an end Monday with three repeat champions and a first-time title-winner, while girls basketball and hockey tournaments kicked off and a 2016 champion was eliminated on the first night.
Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state.
Girls Basketball
Caledonia upset host East Grand Rapids 53-50 in a Class A District opener – Grand Rapids Press
Saginaw Swan Valley earned an impressive win in Class B, downing host Birch Run 43-28 – Saginaw News
Kalamazoo Hackett got past rival Kalamazoo Christian 44-33 in Class C by scoring the game’s final 12 points – Kalamazoo Gazette
Gladwin’s Carly Hickey made the MHSAA record book grabbing 26 rebounds in her team’s 58-49 Class B win over Pinconning – Bay City Times
Pinckney earned its first District win in 12 years, upsetting Saline 40-31 in Class A – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
Hockey
In a matchup of top Division 3 teams, No. 3 Calumet eliminated reigning MHSAA champion and No. 4-ranked Hancock 2-1 in a Pre-Regional – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
Skiing
Marquette’s boys won their fifth straight Division 1 championship, this time at Nub’s Nob – Second Half
Marquette’s girls also were repeat champions in Division 1 – Second Half
Petoskey’s boys extended their Division 2 championship streak to seven straight – Second Half
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central’s girls won their first MHSAA title, in Division 2 at Boyne Highlands – Second Half
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.)