Today in the MHSAA: 5/31/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 31, 2023
1. BOYS TENNIS Ishpeming began the MHSAA’s Spring Finals schedule with a championship in Upper Peninsula Division 2 – MHSAA.com
2. SOFTBALL Ava Mullen struck out a Stevensville Lakeshore-record 19 batters in the No. 5 Lancers’ 6-0 perfect-game win over Berrien Springs in Division 2 – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
3. GIRLS SOCCER No. 6 Saginaw Nouvel avenged its 2022 postseason loss with a 2-0 win over No. 3 Valley Lutheran in a Division 4 District Semifinal – Saginaw News
4. BASEBALL AJ Jones struck out 13 in No. 20 Hillman’s no-hitter District win over Atlanta in Division 4 – WBKB
5. BOYS GOLF No. 4 Charlevoix shot a 309 to win its Lower Peninsula Division 4 Regional by 10 strokes – Petoskey News-Review
6. GIRLS SOCCER Sophia Hekkema broke her own single-season school scoring record in leading Muskegon Reeths-Puffer to a 5-0 Division 2 District win over Ludington – Muskegon Chronicle
7. BASEBALL A 12-run inning highlighted unranked Mattawan’s big Division 1 District win over No. 17 Portage Northern – Kalamazoo Gazette
8. SOFTBALL Division 2 No. 4 Essexville Garber swept Division 4 top-ranked Unionville-Sebewaing in regular-season play – Bay City Times
9. GIRLS SOCCER Brighton avenged a pair of regular-season losses to Hartland with a 3-0 District Semifinal victory – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
10. GIRLS SOCCER Lilley Bosley netted the game’s lone goal in No. 3 Rochester Hills Stoney Creek’s 1-0 win over Romeo in Division 1 – Oakland Press
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.)