Today in the MHSAA: 9/21/16
September 21, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
After a day away, “Today” returns with highlights of the past two, including some impressive volleyball upsets coming out of the Traverse City area, a few more in soccer as well, and the end to a lengthy win streak in swimming & diving.
Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state.
Cross Country
Alpena’s Mitchell Day remains one of the state’s most dominant runners, and he finished nearly a minute ahead of the field at Tuesday’s Big North Conference race – Alpena News
The Grosse Ile girls and boys both won this season’s first Huron League races Tuesday as both seek to repeat as champions – Southgate News-Herald
Boys Soccer
Hillsdale Academy, No. 12 in Division 4, earned a 5-0 win over rival Hillsdale High on Monday – Hillsdale Daily News
Unranked Midland Dow remained undefeated at 11-0-1 on Monday with a 3-1 win over Flint Powers Catholic, ranked No. 4 in Division 3 – Midland Daily News
Unranked Grand Haven upset Division 1 No. 10 East Kentwood 2-0 in overtime Tuesday – Grand Haven Tribune
Girls Swimming & Diving
Brighton downed Dexter 98-88 on Tuesday, its first win over the Dreadnaughts in 22 years. Both are top programs; Dexter is top-ranked in Lower Peninsula Division 2, and Brighton is No. 9 in Division 1 – Livingston Daily
Volleyball
Saginaw Heritage remained undefeated in Saginaw Valley League play with a 3-1 win over Midland Dow on Tuesday – Saginaw News
Utica Eisenhower won a matchup of Division 1 honorable mentions, downing Macomb Dakota in five sets Tuesday – Macomb Daily
The northern Lower Peninsula saw a pair of upsets Tuesday as Kingsley downed Class D No. 3 Leland and Fife Lake Forest Area got past Class D No. 4 Onaway – Traverse City Record-Eagle
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.)