Today in the MHSAA: 6/1/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 1, 2023
1. GOLF Kingsford’s girls won their first MHSAA Finals team title in this sport, while Houghton’s boys repeated on their side of the Upper Peninsula Division 1 championship tournament – MHSAA.com Girls | Boys
2. BOYS TENNIS Negaunee finished a near-perfect season by taking back the UPD1 championship – MHSAA.com
3. GOLF Manistique swept both team and individual championships in UPD2 – MHSAA.com Girls | Boys
4. BOYS GOLF Dowagiac claimed its first Regional title in this sport, winning in LPD3 – Niles Daily Star
5. BOYS GOLF The three team qualifiers all shot 300 or lower as Detroit Catholic Central won the LPD1 Regional at Salem Hills with a 288 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
6. BOYS LACROSSE Muskegon Mona Shores scored the game-winner with 12 seconds to play in edging Holland West Ottawa 13-12 in a Division 1 Regional Final – FOX 17
7. BOYS GOLF Saginaw Swan Valley shot a 323 to edge Millington by two strokes and Shepherd by three at their LPD3 Regional – Saginaw News
8. BASEBALL Traverse City West completed a suspended game against Cadillac to earn a share of the Big North Conference title, with Traverse City Central the other co-champion – Traverse City Record-Eagle
9. BOYS LACROSSE Haslett scored seven unanswered goals to clinch a Division 2 Regional title against Midland Dow, 10-3 – Mid-Michigan Now
10. BOYS LACROSSE Brighton edged South Lyon 8-6 in a Division 1 Regional Final – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
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.)