Today in the MHSAA: 5/2/24
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 2, 2024
1. BOYS GOLF Muskegon Mona Shores ran its championship streak at the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association tournament to five with a 10-stroke victory – Local Sports Journal
2. BASEBALL Division 3 No. 20 Clinton moved above .500 with a 6-1, 10-4 sweep of No. 8 Onsted – Adrian Daily Telegram
3. BASEBALL Marquette downed Division 3 No. 13 Gladstone 9-3 – Upper Michigan Source
4. SOFTBALL Division 2 No. 6 Hudsonville Unity Christian and Byron Center split a doubleheader – Grand Rapids Press
5. TRACK & FIELD Ithaca’s girls and boys teams finished perfect dual meet seasons with wins over Standish-Sterling, Midland Bullock Creek and host Hemlock; Ithaca’s boys are ranked No. 3 and the girls No. 5 in Lower Peninsula Division 3 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
6. GIRLS SOCCER Division 2 No. 8 Midland and Grand Blanc played to a scoreless draw – Midland Daily News
7. GIRLS SOCCER Division 1 No. 8 Midland Dow and Davison played to a 1-1 draw – Midland Daily News
8. SOFTBALL New Boston Huron handed a first Huron League loss to Division 2 honorable mention Milan, 12-2 – Monroe News
9. BOYS GOLF Griffin Mawson and his Traverse City Central teammates swept Elk Rapids Invitational team and individual titles – Traverse City Record-Eagle
10. GIRLS SOCCER Hadley Fox scored four more goals in Big Rapids’ shutout of Grant – Big Rapids Pioneer
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.)