Today in the MHSAA: 6/9/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 9, 2023
1. GIRLS SOCCER No. 4 East Grand Rapids clinched a Division 2 Regional title with a 2-0 win over top-ranked Spring Lake – FOX 17
2. GIRLS SOCCER No. 4 Hudsonville earned its first Regional title in this sport with a 1-0 Division 1 win over No. 7 Portage Central – Grand Rapids Press
3. GIRLS SOCCER No. 10 Grosse Ile ended this season’s run for reigning Division 3 champion and current No. 5 Williamston, 2-1 – Lansing State Journal
4. GIRLS SOCCER No. 3 Rochester Hills Stoney Creek advanced in Division 1 with a 2-1 overtime win over New Baltimore Anchor Bay – Oakland Press
5. GIRLS SOCCER No. 2 Northville also advanced in Division 1, downing No. 13 Grand Blanc 2-0 – MLIVE-Detroit
6. GIRLS SOCCER No. 10 Linden claimed a Division 2 Regional title with a 3-0 win over No. 15 St. Clair – Mid-Michigan Now
7. GIRLS SOCCER No. 6 Flint Powers Catholic advanced in Division 3 with 2-0 win over No. 8 Warren Regina – WJRT
8. GIRLS SOCCER No. 3 Elk Rapids repeated as a Regional champion with a 2-1 win over Freeland in Division 3 – Up North Live
9. GIRLS SOCCER No. 15 Saline moved on in Division 1 thanks to a 1-0 overtime win over Canton – Ann Arbor News
10. GIRLS SOCCER Top-ranked Hudsonville Unity Christian earned a Division 3 Regional title with a 6-0 victory over Grand Rapids Catholic Central – Grand Rapids Press
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.)