Today in the MHSAA: 4/10/17
April 10, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The second weekend in April was filled with travelers heading back from spring break, but also its share of high school events – and championships especially for Bay City Western.
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.
Baseball
Fowlerville finished 2-0-1 to win the Novi Invitational, tying the host Wildcats 8-8 to secure the title as the only undefeated team in the field – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
Gladstone opened 3-0 by sweeping its competition at the Wisconsin Dells Invitational – Escanaba Daily Press
Traverse City West downed host Coldwater to win a tournament championship over the weekend as well – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Bay City Western opened this season with its second Bay County Baseball Championship title in three seasons – Bay City Times
Softball
Bay City Western continued its dominance of the four-year Bay County Softball Championship, claiming the title for the fourth time – Bay City Times
Escanaba outscored its opponents 44-1 and made just one error during a weekend trip to Wisconsin – Escanaba Daily Press
Girls Tennis
Petoskey edged Harbor Springs 5-3 and downed Big Rapids 7-1 on Saturday to open the spring – Petoskey News-Review
Track & Field
Bay City Western swept the Freeland Invitational boys and girls titles, sharing the boys championship with Chesaning – Cadillac News
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.)