Today in the MHSAA: 4/28/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 28, 2023
1. GIRLS SOCCER Unranked Holland West Ottawa edged Division 1 No. 6 Rockford 1-0 in its Purple Power game to raise money for cancer research – Holland Sentinel
2. TRACK & FIELD Annual rivalry meets featuring neighbors and two of the state’s best in Lower Peninsula Division 1 went to the Zeeland East girls and Zeeland West boys. The East girls are ranked No. 3 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 and the boys are No. 9, while the West girls are No. 6 and the West boys No. 3 – Holland Sentinel Boys | Girls
3. SOFTBALL Unranked Sanford Meridian earned an important sweep of Division 3 No. 8 Clare to open Jack Pine Conference play – MI Sports Now
4. SOFTBALL Unranked Muskegon Reeths-Puffer got past Division 2 No. 9 Oakridge 10-6 – Local Sports Journal
5. BASEBALL Coldwater swept Three Rivers, earning coach Randy Spangler his 700th victory – Coldwater Daily Reporter
6. SOFTBALL Division 2 honorable mention New Boston Huron swept Division 1 honorable mention Temperance Bedford 3-1 and 10-9 – Monroe News
7. BOYS GOLF Robert Burns led LPD2 No. 15 Flint Powers Catholic to a Saginaw Valley League win with a 1-under 71 – Flint Journal
8. TRACK & FIELD The Manistee girls and Ludington boys won Scottville Optimist Meet titles. The Manistee girls are ranked No. 8 in LPD3 – Ludington Daily News
9. SOFTBALL Rockford got past Grand Haven 6-3 in a matchup of Division 1 honorable mentions in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red play – Grand Rapids Press
10. BASEBALL Union City swept Homer 7-4 and 10-9 in a key Big 8 Conference doubleheader – Coldwater Daily Reporter
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.)