Today in the MHSAA: 5/3/16
May 3, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The MHSAA girls soccer career goals record was broken Monday by a player who has had four seasons of highlights, while a longtime baseball coach passed another milestone as he resets the career wins record in his sport nearly every time out.
Baseball
MHSAA all-time coaching wins leader Pat O’Keefe reached another milestone, 1,200 victories, as his Comets defeated Lansing Eastern – Lansing State Journal
Grosse Pointe North freshman Chad Lorkowski extended his scoreless innings streak to 25 in throwing a complete game 3-0 win over Warren Cousino – Detroit News
Girls Soccer
Leland star Libby Munoz scored her 196th goal – breaking the MHSAA career record – in an 8-0 win over Kingsley – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Division 1 No. 12 Troy Athens got a goal from Natalie Miller with 14:27 to play to edge Rochester 1-0 – Oakland Press
Softball
Shepherd’s Adri Nelson hit her eighth and ninth home runs this season in consecutive at bats as the Bluejays swept Alma – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
Track & Field
From Saturday, the Pickford boys and girls teams swept the Web Morrison Invitational on their home track, the boys winning for the fourth straight season – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News
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.)