Today in the MHSAA: 9/19/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 19, 2023
1. GIRLS GOLF Grand Rapids South Christian – No. 4 in Lower Peninsula Division 3 – shot a 378 to win the Tullymore Golf Invitational by a stroke ahead of Grand Ledge – Cadillac News
2. GIRLS GOLF Tecumseh carded a 409 to win the Onsted Invitational by 30 strokes – Coldwater Daily Reporter
3. GIRLS GOLF Petoskey edged Cheboygan by four strokes with a 409 to win the Ann Wilson Invitational – Traverse City Record-Eagle
4. BOYS SOCCER New Haven downed Port Huron 3-1 in a matchup of the top two teams in the Macomb Area Conference Silver – Macomb Daily
5. BOYS SOCCER Top Western Wayne Athletic Conference teams Melvindale and Dearborn Heights Crestwood played to a 1-1 draw – Southgate News-Herald
6. BOYS SOCCER Big Rapids Crossroads’ Owen Piippo had three goals as his team drew with Cadillac Heritage Christian 4-4 – Big Rapids Pioneer
7. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 3 Grand Rapids South Christian scored both goals during the second half to shut out Grand Rapids Catholic Central 2-0 – FOX17
8. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 8 Fruitport found the next twice in a rivalry win over Spring Lake – MuskegonSports.com
9. VOLLEYBALL Gracie Pierscinski led Linden past Swartz Creek 3-0 – WJRT
10. BOYS SOCCER Harbor Springs scored the go-ahead goal with three minutes remaining to get past Boyne City 4-3 – Petoskey News-Review
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.)