Today in the MHSAA: 8/22/18
August 22, 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 Golf: Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central claimed a second straight tournament title, edging Caledonia by a stroke to win the Kent County Classic – Grand Rapids Press
2. Boys Soccer: Jacob Denison posted a hat trick as Tecumseh edged annual power Dexter 3-2 – Adrian Daily Telegram
3. Volleyball: Onekama won all but two sets on the day in claiming the Frankfort Invitational championship – Manistee News Advocate
4. Volleyball: Petoskey improved to 9-0 with a sweep at the Roscommon quad – Petoskey News-Review
5. Volleyball: Spring Lake repeated as Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian Invitational champion – Local Sports Journal
6. Volleyball: Montague finished 5-0-1 in taking first at the Scottville Mason County Central Invitational – Local Sports Journal
7. Cross Country: Saugatuck dominated the boys side of the St. Joseph Invitational, taking the top spot in the team standings led by individual champ Corey Gorgas – Holland Sentinel
8. Volleyball: Utica Eisenhower swept the Utica Community Schools Quad with wins over Ford, Utica High and Stevenson – Macomb Daily
9. Boys Soccer: Lake Orion opened its season with two quick goals and a 2-0 win over Birmingham Seaholm – Oakland Press
10. Boys Soccer: North Farmington earned an early edge in league play with a 1-0 win over Rochester – Oakland 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.)