Today in the MHSAA: 4/25/17
April 25, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A handful of no-hitters and the end of a notable streak made the diamond the place to be Monday, while golf and track & field saw significant invitational action – and our School Broadcast Program received some great attention as well.
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
Midland dealt Division 1 No. 7 Bay City Western its first doubleheader sweep in more than five seasons and 200 games with 1-0 and 3-2 wins – Bay City Times
Detroit Western International pitcher Miguel Ambriz threw a no-hitter as his team downed Detroit Catholic Central 4-1 – Detroit News
Division 3 No. 13 Homer swept Vandercook Lake at University of Michigan, taking the first game 4-2 thanks in part to a complete game pitching victory by freshman T.J. Vanderkuyl – Jackson Citizen-Patriot
Boys Golf
Gladstone edged Escanaba by three strokes to win its home invitational – Escanaba Daily Press
Division 1 No. 9 Utica Ford finished 13 strokes better than Macomb Dakota to win the Evans-Gill Invitational – Macomb Daily
Boys Lacrosse
From Sunday, Division 1 No. 1 Birmingham Brother Rice ended the 50-game winning streak, longest nationally, for New York champion Victor with a 10-9 win – Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle
Girls Soccer
Alma’s Tia Everdeen scored three goals in the first half as her team downed Ithaca 4-0 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
Softball
Division 1 No. 9 Howell freshman Molly Carney threw a one-hit shutout to down honorable mention Waterford Kettering and returning all-state pitcher Madison French – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
Kingsley swept Harrison on a pair of no-hitters by McKenna Musser – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Track & Field
The Norway boys won the Bobcat Invitational in Florence, Wis., while Felch North Dickinson finished second in both the boys and girls competitions – Iron Mountain Daily News
Good Read
ABC10 reports on Negaunee's digital writing and broadcast program, a recent recipient of multiple MHSAA SBP Excellence Awards – ABC10-Marquette
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.)