Today in the MHSAA: 8/22/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 22, 2023
1. GIRLS GOLF Brighton won the Sentech Services Tournament at Kensington Metropark with a 318, topping a field that included powers Plymouth, Farmington Hills Mercy and Northville among others – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
2. VOLLEYBALL Three Rivers defeated Sturgis to win the St. Joseph County Tournament after three straight runner-up finishes – Sturgis Journal
3. BOYS SOCCER Freshman Tyler Standfest scored both goals in Division 3 No. 9 Elk Rapids’ 2-0 win over No. 5 Grand Rapids West Catholic – Traverse City Record-Eagle
4. VOLLEYBALL Dundee came back after losing the first set to defeat Dundee and win the Tecumseh Invitational – Adrian Daily Telegram
5. GIRLS GOLF Remus Chippewa Hills finished two strokes better than Cheboygan to win the Houghton Lake Invitational – Big Rapids Pioneer
6. BOYS SOCCER Muskegon Reeths-Puffer scored its goals over the final 10 minutes to edge Hudsonville 2-0 – MuskegonSports.com
7. BOYS SOCCER Colin Robertson scored his first high school goal as Brighton downed Novi 2-0 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
8. BOYS SOCCER Division 1 No. 6 Saline moved to 2-0 with a 1-0 shutout of Midland Dow – Saline Post
9. GIRLS TENNIS Escanaba won seven flights in defeating Gladstone – Escanaba Daily Press
10. BOYS SOCCER Jackson Lumen Christi and Michigan Center finished with a 0-0 draw – Jackson Citizen Patriot
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.)