Today in the MHSAA: 9/13/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 13, 2023
1. CROSS COUNTRY The Northville boys – ranked No. 1 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – edged No. 2 Brighton by a point and No. 4 Canton by seven, while Brighton’s top-ranked girls swept their side of the meet against No. 4 Northville and Canton – Livingston Daily Press & Argus | Athletic.net
2. VOLLEYBALL Division 3 No. 8 Lake City opened Highland Conference play with a four-set win over honorable mention Beal City – Cadillac News
3. VOLLEYBALL Rochester Adams twice came back to defeat Division 2 No. 6 Detroit Country Day in five sets – Oakland Press
4. BOYS SOCCER Division 1 No. 5 East Kentwood came back from two goals down to get past Grand Haven 3-2 – FOX17
5. CROSS COUNTRY The LPD3 No. 9 Leslie girls and Olivet boys won Blackhawk Invitational titles – Jackson Citizen Patriot | Athletic.net
6. VOLLEYBALL Escanaba won the first two sets and came back after losing the next two to defeat Negaunee in five – Escanaba Daily Press
7. VOLLEYBALL Addison remains undefeated after a four-set victory over Hanover-Horton – Jackson Citizen Patriot
8. BOYS SOCCER Division 1 No. 3 Oxford made its opening two-goal lead stand in a 4-2 victory over Troy – Oakland Press
9. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING Zeeland followed Jenna Meyer to a 108-65 win over Holland – Holland Sentinel
10. BOYS SOCCER Max Lasser scored three goals in North Muskegon’s 4-1 win over Muskegon Oakridge – Local Sports Journal
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.)