Today In The MHSAA: 4/6/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 6, 2022
1. GIRLS SOCCER Hartland or Novi has won the last three Division 1 championships, and 2021 title winner Hartland won their matchup Tuesday 4-0 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
2. GIRLS SOCCER Cheboygan opened with a 6-3 win over Gladwin thanks in part to Cassidy Jewell’s three goals – Cheboygan Daily Tribune
3. GIRLS SOCCER Traverse City Central opened with a 2-1 win over 2021 Division 3 runner-up Boyne City – Traverse City Record-Eagle
4. SOFTBALL Portage Northern came back from a 4-0 deficit to defeat Division 4 honorable mention Kalamazoo Christian 5-4 in the first game of a sweep – WWMT
5. BASEBALL West Bloomfield improved to 5-0 with a 7-4 win over Clarkston – Oakland Press
6. GIRLS SOCCER Big Rapids is off to another solid start after a 3-0 win over Ludington – Big Rapids News
7. BOYS LACROSSE Clarkston moved past Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood 11-7 – Oakland Press
8. GIRLS SOCCER Birmingham Groves scored first, but Oxford scored four second-half goals to win 4-1 – Oakland Press
9. BASEBALL A pair of freshmen helped Hart to a sweep of Mason County Eastern – MuskegonSports.com
10. GIRLS SOCCER McBain Northern Michigan Christian opened with a 4-0 win over Big Rapids Crossroads – Cadillac News
Also of note …
WRESTLING Stevensville Lakeshore’s Bruce Bittenbender retired after 52 years leading one of Michigan’s top programs and as the MHSAA record holder with 981 wins in the sport – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
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.)