Today in the MHSAA: 4/11/24
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 11, 2024
1. BASEBALL Division 2 No. 19 Freeland earned a pair of 10-0 wins over Division 3 No. 9 Midland Bullock Creek – Midland Daily News
2. GIRLS SOCCER Division 2 No. 2 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central shut out No. 14 Grand Rapids Christian 3-0 – FOX 17
3. SOFTBALL Division 2 No. 2 Vicksburg swept Division 1 honorable mention Grand Haven 12-9 and 10-0 – Kalamazoo Gazette
4. SOFTBALL Traverse City St. Francis edged Division 3 honorable mention Evart 2-1, but Evart came back to win the second game 12-3 – Up North Live
5. SOFTBALL Hemlock and Division 2 honorable mention Frankenmuth split, the Eagles winning 6-0 and the Huskies coming back for a 6-5 victory – Saginaw News
6. BASEBALL Napoleon’s Grant Bradley threw a five-inning perfect game in downing Hanover-Horton 10-0 – Jackson Citizen Patriot
7. BASEBALL Benji Allen also threw a five-inning perfect game for Maple City Glen Lake in a 13-0 win over Lake Leelanau St. Mary – Traverse City Record-Eagle
8. BASEBALL A pair of Macomb Dakota pitchers teamed up to no-hit Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 10-0 – Macomb Daily
9. SOFTBALL Ava Bradford hit three home runs during Division 3 honorable mention Leslie’s sweep of Brooklyn Columbia Central – Lansing State Journal
10. SOFTBALL Division 2 No. 10 New Boston Huron came back late to defeat Flat Rock 12-9 – Southgate News-Herald
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.)