Today in the MHSAA: 3/6/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 6, 2023
1. WRESTING A record four seniors finished their careers with fourth Individual Wrestling Finals championships at Ford Field, and we talked to all 70 champions across the five divisions – MHSAA.com
2. COMPETITIVE CHEER Croswell-Lexington won its first championship in this sport, Rochester High and Gibraltar Carlson ended rivals’ title runs and Hudson added a fourth-straight Finals victory over two days at Central Michigan University – MHSAA.com
3. BOWLING Eight teams and eight singles claimed championships over the weekend, including Sparta and Taylor Trillium Academy’s girls both for the first time Friday – MHSAA.com
4. GIRLS BASKETBALL Goodrich downed undefeated Lake Fenton 54-53 in a Division 2 District Final after having lost to the Blue Devils three times during the regular season – Flint Journal
5. HOCKEY Cameron Duffany scored all of No. 3 Brighton’s goals including the double-overtime winner in a Division 1 Quarterfinal victory over No. 5 Livonia Stevenson – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Negaunee edged Hancock 47-44 in double overtime to clinch a Division 3 District title – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
7. GIRLS BASKETBALL Three Oaks River Valley clinched its first District title since 1998, downing St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran in Division 4 – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
8. GIRLS BASKETBALL Farmington Hills Mercy handed North Farmington its lone loss in claiming a fifth-straight District title, in Division 1 – Oakland Press
9. GYMNASTICS Hartland won its second Regional title in four seasons, finishing ahead of runner-up Howell by just three-tenths of a point – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
10. HOCKEY No. 5 Saginaw Heritage downed No. 3 Alpena 4-1 in a Division 2 Quarterfinal – WBKB
Also of note …
GIRLS BASKETBALL Owosso defeated Durand 34-29 in Division 2 to win its first District championship since 2001 – Mid-Michigan 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.)