Today in the MHSAA: 8/30/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 30, 2023
1. BOYS TENNIS Traverse City Central earned wins over Traverse City St. Francis – No. 2 in Lower Peninsula Division 4 – and LPD3 No. 8 Petoskey – Traverse City Record-Eagle
2. CROSS COUNTRY Kent City swept girls and boys championships at its Early Eagle Invitational – Local Sports Journal
3. VOLLEYBALL Homer avenged last season’s five-set District loss to Hanover-Horton with a five-set win – Jackson Citizen Patriot
4. BOYS SOCCER Division 1 No. 10 Troy Athens rode an offensive surge to a 3-1 win over Troy – Oakland Press
5. VOLLEYBALL Division 2 No. 7 Frankenmuth swept White Lake Lakeland with two sets going to 26-24 – Saginaw News
6. GIRLS GOLF Muskegon Mona Shores won the first Ottawa-Kent Conference Green jamboree with a 185 – Local Sports Journal
7. VOLLEYBALL Onekama went on the road and swept host Muskegon Catholic Central and Fruitport – Manistee News-Advocate
8. VOLLEYBALL Dearborn Edsel Ford came back from a two-set deficit to get past Grosse Ile – Southgate News-Herald
9. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 5 Elk Rapids downed Traverse City Central 5-3 – MI Sports Now
10. VOLLEYBALL Manistique swept Gladstone with the third set decided 25-22 – Escanaba Daily Press
Also of note …
OFFICIALS Rick Massa made officiating part of his life as a college student, and 47 years later he continues as one of the state’s best – Today@Wayne
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.)