Today in the MHSAA: 6/8/18
June 8, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.
1. Girls Soccer: No. 6 Warren Regina claimed its first Regional title in this sport since 2005 with a 1-0 win over No. 3 Detroit Country Day in Division 3 – Macomb Daily
2. Girls Soccer: No. 4 Grand Rapids Catholic Central came back from two goals down to win a Division 3 Regional Final 3-2 over No. 2 Hudsonville Unity Christian – FOX 17
3. Girls Soccer: No. 6 Novi will return to the Division 1 Semifinals thanks to a 4-0 win over No. 15 Saline – Observer & Eccentric
4. Girls Soccer: No. 18 Freeland won its fifth straight Division 3 Regional title with a 1-0 victory over Big Rapids – Saginaw News
5. Girls Soccer: Top-ranked North Muskegon added another shutout to its long list this spring, blanking No. 8 Elk Rapids 3-0 to win a Division 4 Regional – Muskegon Chronicle
6. Girls Soccer: No. 4 Grand Blanc shut out No. 18 Rochester Adams 3-0 to also advance in Division 1 – WJRT
7. Girls Soccer: No. 4 DeWitt clinched its fifth Regional title in nine seasons with a 1-0 win over Petoskey in Division 2 – Lansing State Journal
8. Girls Soccer: Troy shut out Grosse Pointe North 5-0 in Division 1 to earn its second Semifinal trip in six seasons – C&G Newspapers
9. Girls Soccer: Reigning champion and current No. 1 Flint Powers Catholic is headed back to the Semifinals after an 8-0 Division 3 Regional win over No. 11 Williamston – WJRT
10. Softball: Alpena and Division 4 top-ranked Rogers City split a doubleheader as both turned up for Regionals this weekend – Alpena News
Also of note …
Girls Soccer: Want courage? Check out this story of Makenzie Carpenter’s return to the soccer pitch for Canton – Observer & Eccentric
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.)