Today in the MHSAA: 9/13/24
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 13, 2024
1. GIRLS GOLF Whitehall – No. 10 in Lower Peninsula Division 3 – may be Michigan’s first league champion of this fall after carding 375 to win the West Michigan Conference title – CatchMark SportsNet
2. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 9 Hudsonville Unity Christian held off Division 4 No. 8 Muskegon Western Michigan Christian in a matchup of 2023 Finals champions – Local Sports Journal
3. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING LPD3 No. 1 East Grand Rapids defeated LPD1 No. 3 Grand Haven 127.5-58.5 – Grand Haven Tribune
4. BOYS TENNIS Ari Ziska became Big Rapids’ all-time singles wins leader during the LPD3 No. 6 Cardinals’ sweep of Vicksburg – Big Rapids Pioneer
5. BOYS SOCCER Division 1 No. 11 Traverse City West shut out rival Traverse City Central 4-0 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
6. VOLLEYBALL Division 4 No. 6 Hillsdale Academy ran its winning streak to nine with a sweep of Hillsdale High – Hillsdale Daily News
7. BOYS SOCCER Division 1 No. 3 Portage Central also shut out a local opponent, Kalamazoo Central 3-0 – FOX 17
8. VOLLEYBALL Suttons Bay twice trailed by a set on the way to defeating Frankfort in five – Traverse City Record-Eagle
9. VOLLEYBALL Colon trailed White Pigeon 2-1 but also came back for a five-set victory – Sturgis Journal
10. BOYS SOCCER Birmingham Seaholm turned a 1-1 halftime tie into a 5-1 win over Bloomfield Hills – 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.)