Today in the MHSAA: 9/23/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 23, 2022
1. GIRLS GOLF Rochester Adams – No. 6 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – clinched the Oakland Activities Association Red Tournament title with a stellar performance on the 18th hole – Oakland Press
2. VOLLEYBALL Division 4 No. 2 Leland downed Division 3 No. 6 Traverse City St. Francis in four sets in a matchup of ranked teams – Up North Live
3. GIRLS TENNIS Negaunee was first and Ishpeming Westwood second at the Mid-Peninsula Conference Tournament – Upper Michigan Source
4. BOYS SOCCER Alpena and Division 1 No. 15 Traverse City West played to a 1-1 draw – Alpena News
5. CROSS COUNTRY The LPD3 No. 15 Central Montcalm girls and No. 6 Reed City boys won Central State Activities Association meets – Big Rapids Pioneer
6. VOLLEYBALL Brownstown Woodhaven came back to sweep Allen Park in a key Downriver League match – Southgate News-Herald
7. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 15 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood scored three goals over the final five minutes to defeat Dearborn Divine Child 5-2 – Oakland Press
8. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING Distance star Victoria Schreiber led LPD1 No. 5 Brighton to a 113-70 win over Hartland while mixing in other events – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
9. VOLLEYBALL Division 2 No. 9 Cadillac earned a four-set win at Petoskey – Petoskey News-Review
10. BOYS SOCCER Oxford and Lake Orion also played to a 1-1 draw – 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.)