Today in the MHSAA: 5/7/24
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 7, 2024
1. BOYS LACROSSE Lake Orion got past Clarkston 17-12 to clinch an outright Oakland Activities Association Red championship – Oakland Press
2. GIRLS TENNIS Holland West Ottawa – tied for No. 10 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – earned a share of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red title with a 6-3 win over Rockford – Holland Sentinel
3. BASEBALL Okemos swept Lansing Everett to clinch the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue title – Lansing State Journal
4. SOFTBALL Ivy Davenport struck out 20 batters in Division 3 No. 10 Ithaca’s 4-0 win over Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, tying for 15th-most strikeouts in a seven-inning game in MHSAA history – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
5. GIRLS LACROSSE Rockford outscored East Grand Rapids 2-0 in the third quarter on the way to a 12-10 win in a matchup of state powerhouses – RockfordRams.org
6. BOYS GOLF Carson Ritz and his Adrian teammates swept Lenawee County championships – Adrian Daily Telegram
7. SOFTBALL Division 2 honorable mention Clio and No. 6 Goodrich split a doubleheader for the second time this season – WJRT
8. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 3 Bay City Western and Division 2 No. 2 Flint Powers Catholic split, with Luke Lacourse throwing a no-hitter for Western in the opening win – Bay City Times
9. GIRLS SOCCER Big Rapids won a matchup of co-leaders in the Central State Activities Association, downing Howard City Tri County 3-1 – Big Rapids Pioneer
10. BOYS GOLF Clarkston and Grosse Pointe South’s Brennan Sullivan were champions at the Charger Invitational in Flint – Flint Journal
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.)