Today in the MHSAA: 4/24/18
April 24, 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. Girls Lacrosse: Rockford edged East Grand Rapids 15-10 in a matchup of top-ranked teams, the Rams in Division 1 and the Pioneers in Division 2 – FOX 17
2. Baseball: Division 1 No. 13 Bay City Western swept No. 8 Midland 1-0 and 9-3 – Midland Daily News
3. Girls Soccer: Division 4 No. 5 Elk Rapids opened the season with a win, 2-0 over No. 17 Harbor Springs – MI Sports Now
4. Girls Soccer: Rivals Kalamazoo Hackett and Kalamazoo Christian tied 1-1; Christian is No. 2 in Division 4 and Hackett is No. 14 – JoeInsider.com
5. Girls Soccer: West Bloomfield downed previously undefeated and Division 3 No. 7 Clawson 5-1 – Oakland Press
6. Baseball: Jake Riggs threw a five-inning perfect game as Brethren downed Mesick 11-0 – Manistee News Advocate
7. Softball: Muskegon Western Michigan Christian/Muskegon Catholic Central split a doubleheader with Grant, WMCC getting a five-inning no-hitter from Maria Sanocki in winning the first game – Grand Haven Tribune
8. Boys Golf: Flint Powers Catholic, No. 1 in Lower Peninsula Division 2, shot a 311 to win the Wayne Wire Tournament in Royal Oak – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
9. Softball: Paige Kolinski hit her fourth home run of the season as Utica Eisenhower downed Utica 11-5 – Macomb Daily
10. Baseball: Whitehall and Muskegon Oakridge split a pair of close games both decided by a run – Muskegon Chronicle
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.)