Today in the MHSAA: 4/20/18
April 20, 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. Softball: Madeline Skene powered Division 1 honorable mention Hartland to an upset sweep of No. 2 Howell – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
2. Baseball: Division 2 No. 3 Detroit Country Day edged Division 3 top-ranked Madison Heights Bishop Foley 2-1 in a matchup of elite teams – Detroit News
3. Girls Soccer: Division 2 top-ranked Bloomfield Hills Marian downed rival Farmington Hills Mercy 3-0 – Oakland Press
4. Track & Field: The Bessemer boys and Lake Linden-Hubbell girls won their division of the Superior Central Invitational at Northern Michigan University – Escanaba Daily Press
5. Boys Lacrosse: Spring Lake extended a one-goal halftime lead to down Holland Christian 9-4 – Grand Haven Tribune
6. Girls Soccer: Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port came back from two goals down to defeat Dryden 3-2 – Huron Daily Tribune
7. Baseball: Flushing handed Bay City Western its first loss, but Western came back to take the second game in eight innings – Bay City Times
8. Girls Tennis: Lower Peninsula Division 3 No. 7 Allegan moved to 6-0 this season with a win over Hamilton – WWMT
9. Girls soccer: Big Rapids remained undefeated with a 2-1 win over Fremont – Big Rapids News
10. Track & Field: Zeeland West swept Holland, the girls meet coming down to the final event – Holland Sentinel
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.)