Today in the MHSAA: 4/25/24
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 25, 2024
1. GIRLS SOCCER Lilah Smith scored both goals as Division 2 No. 2 Richland Gull Lake defeated Division 1 No. 3 Portage Central 2-1 – Kalamazoo Gazette
2. SOFTBALL No. 7 Macomb Dakota downed honorable mention Lake Orion 7-5 in a rematch of a 2023 Division 1 Regional Final – Macomb Daily
3. GIRLS SOCCER Division 1 No. 14 Midland Dow came back to secure a 3-3 draw with Division 2 No. 6 Midland High – Midland Daily News
4. BASEBALL Division 2 No. 14 Southgate Anderson got past Brownstown Woodhaven 6-2 in Downriver League play – Southgate News-Herald
5. BOYS GOLF Duncan Robinson and Traverse City West won the Cadillac Invitational – Traverse City Record-Eagle
6. BASEBALL Byron Center bounced back from losing the first two games to Division 1 No. 19 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central by claiming the third 4-1 – Grand Rapids Press
7. GIRLS SOCCER Hadley Fox scored both goals in Big Rapids’ 2-0 win over Newaygo – Big Rapids Pioneer
8. GIRLS SOCCER Emmy Creed scored three goals in Division 4 top-ranked North Muskegon’s 6-1 win over Whitehall – CatchMark SportsNet
9. GIRLS SOCCER Pinconning guaranteed its most successful season since 2016 with a 4-0 win over Midland Bullock Creek – Bay City Times
10. TRACK & FIELD Mason County Eastern swept team first places at the latest West Michigan D League jamboree – Ludington Daily News
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.)