Today in the MHSAA: 6/6/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 6, 2022
1. TRACK & FIELD/GIRLS TENNIS A total of 14 track & field and four tennis championships were awarded at Finals over the weekend, and Second Half covered them all – Second Half
2. GIRLS LACROSSE Top-ranked Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern/Eastern edged No. 2 Rockford 7-6 to claim a Division 1 regional title – FOX 17
3. GIRLS LACROSSE Top-ranked East Grand Rapids turned away No. 3 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 12-11 to earn a 10th-straight Division 2 Regional title – FOX 17
4. BASEBALL Carleton Airport upset No. 2 New Boston Huron and then defeated Monroe Jefferson 6-3 for a Division 2 District title – Monroe News
5. GIRLS SOCCER Traverse City West claimed a Division 1 District championship with a 2-0 win over No. 6 Midland Dow – Traverse City Record-Eagle
6. SOFTBALL No. 2 Richmond defeated No. 5 Almont 6-1 to clinch a Division 3 District title – Port Huron Times Herald
7. BASEBALL Muskegon Reeths-Puffer defeated No. 3 Muskegon Mona Shores and then No. 5 Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills to earn a Division 1 District title – Local Sports Journal
8. BASEBALL Brighton scored the go-ahead runs with one out left in its Division 1 District title win over No. 9 Howell – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
9. BASEBALL No. 6 Richmond also will move on in baseball after defeating No. 7 St. Clair 7-5 in a Division 2 District Final – Macomb Daily
10. BASEBALL Fenton defeated No. 4 Grand Blanc in a Division 1 District Semifinal, but Hartland emerged as the District champion – 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.)