Today in the MHSAA: 6/8/16
June 8, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Michigan’s top girls soccer teams took the next step in the MHSAA Tournament with the start of Regionals on Tuesday, and a number of close finishes ensued.
Girls Soccer
Three-time reigning Division 2 champion and No. 2-ranked Richland Gull Lake needed overtime to survive Marshall 2-1 – Battle Creek Enquirer
Canton edged Ann Arbor Pioneer 1-0 with a 3-2 advantage in a shootout in Division 1 – Ann Arbor News
After winning its first District title since 2008 on Saturday, Brighton downed No. 15 Rochester Adams 1-0 for its first Regional win since 2005 – Livingston Daily
Grand Rapids Christian in Division 2 also got past Spring Lake, 1-0, with a shootout – Grand Rapids Press
No. 4 Novi came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat No. 5 Grand Blanc in overtime 3-2 in Division 1 – Oakland Press
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern in Division 2 came back from a goal deficit to beat Mount Pleasant 2-1 – Grand Rapids Press
Baseball
Top-ranked Coldwater, making up a regular-season came, got coach Randy Spangler his 600th career win during a sweep of Jackson Lumen Christi – Coldwater Daily Reporter
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.)