Today in the MHSAA: 4/16/18
April 16, 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.
1. Boys Golf: Portage Central won the 23-team Coldwater Invitational with a 309, four strokes ahead of runner-up Richland Gull Lake – Coldwater Daily Reporter
2. Softball: Three Rivers avenged a District Semifinal loss to Vicksburg last season with a pair of shutouts – Three Rivers News
3. Girls Soccer: Madison Heights Bishop Foley shut out Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood 2-0 to remain undefeated – Oakland Press
4. Track & Field: The Mendon boys and Battle Creek Pennfield girls won championships at the White Pigeon Invitational – Sturgis Journal
5. Track & Field: The Dundee boys and Ida girls were champions at the Pelz Invitational at Clinton – Adrian Daily Telegram
6. Softball: Chloe Haskins had 12 strikeouts in the first game of a shutout sweep of Grand Blanc and threw in relief during the second – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
7. Girls Soccer: Midland outshot Traverse City Central 15-3 in a 4-0 win – Midland Daily News
8. Track & Field: The host Richland Gull Lake girls and Kalamazoo Loy Norrix boys were champions at Gull Lake’s Invitational – Kalamazoo Gazette
9. Boys Lacrosse: South Lyon moved to 4-0 with a 16-7 win over Novi – Observer & Eccentric
10. Football: Coming off leading Wyoming Godwin Heights to its best season since 1989, Carlton Brewster has left to become coach at Kalamazoo Central – WZZM
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.)