Today in the MHSAA: 5/1/24
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 1, 2024
1. SOFTBALL Division 2 honorable mention Milan moved into first place alone in the Huron League with a 10-6 win over No. 10 (tie) Carleton Airport – Monroe News
2. GIRLS SOCCER Division 1 top-ranked Hudsonville and No. 14 Rockford played to a scoreless draw – FOX 17
3. SOFTBALL Division 2 No. 10 (tie) Frankenmuth earned a 7-1, 18-3 sweep of No. 8 Essexville Garber – Bay City Times
4. SOFTBALL Division 1 No. 7 Macomb Dakota moved into first alone in the Macomb Area Conference Red with an 11-1 win over Romeo – Macomb Daily
5. SOFTBALL Division 1 honorable mention Midland and Dow split as they celebrated the 50th anniversary of their rivalry on the softball diamond – Midland Daily News
6. SOFTBALL Bay City Central swept rival Western for the first time in nearly two decades – Bay City Times
7. SOFTBALL Division 2 honorable mention Linden and Fenton split in a matchup of Flint Metro League Stripes co-leaders – Flint Journal
8. GIRLS SOCCER Dania De La Mora scored three goals as Ferndale and West Bloomfield played to a 4-4 draw – Oakland Press
9. BOYS LACROSSE Grand Blanc ran its winning streak to eight with a 17-4 win over Flint Powers Catholic – WNEM
10. SOFTBALL Manton swept McBain, and Manton’s Adriana Sackett hit three home runs on the day – Traverse City Record-Eagle
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.)