Today in the MHSAA: 5/17/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 17, 2023
1. BASEBALL Division 3 No. 12 Parchment swept Division 4 No. 16 Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep to clinch a three-peat in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley – WWMT
2. SOFTBALL Division 2 honorable mention Big Rapids swept Lakeview to finish a repeat title run in the Central State Activities Association – Big Rapids Pioneer
3. TRACK & FIELD The Clinton Township Chippewa Valley boys and Macomb Dakota girls won Macomb Area Conference Red championship meet titles – Macomb Daily
4. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 11 Sterling Heights Stevenson downed Romeo 8-2 to clinch the MAC Red title – Macomb Daily
5. BASEBALL Unranked Hartland avenged a 2022 Quarterfinal loss with a 4-3 win over Division 1 No. 2 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
6. SOFTBALL Division 3 honorable mention Clinton maintained its one-game lead in the Lenawee County Athletic Association with a sweep of Hudson – Adrian Daily Telegram
7. BASEBALL Gladwin maintained a half-game lead in the Jack Pine Conference after a split with second-place Shepherd – MI Sports Now
8. SOFTBALL Unranked Milan also held onto its lead in the Huron league with a 5-4 win over Division 2 honorable mention New Boston Huron – Monroe News
9. SOFTBALL Gladwin bounced back to stay atop the JPC after Shepherd dealt the Flying Gs their first league defeat – MI Sports Now
10. BASEBALL Division 2 No. 7 Ada Forest Hills Eastern won the first game, but unranked Mattawan won the second of a doubleheader split – FOX 17
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.)