Today In The MHSAA: 9/24/21
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 24, 2021
1. VOLLEYBALL South Lyon East downed Walled Lake Northern in four sets in a matchup of last season’s Lakes Valley Conference co-champions – Oakland Press
2. VOLLEYBALL Division 1 honorable mention Davison avenged last season’s District loss to Grand Blanc with a sweep in league play – Flint Journal
3. BOYS TENNIS Ludington earned an impressive 5-3 win over LPD4 No. 5 Big Rapids – Ludington Daily News
4. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING Trenton, an honorable mention in Lower Peninsula Division 3, swam to a 100-80 win over Brownstown Woodhaven – Southgate News-Herald
5. BOYS SOCCER Jack Spencer continued to build on his school shutouts record, adding another in Division 3 No. 6 Elk Rapids’ 5-0 win over Charlevoix – Traverse City Record-Eagle
6. CROSS COUNTRY Mackinaw City swept team first places at the latest Northern Lakes Conference jamboree – Cheboygan Daily Tribune
7. BOYS SOCCER Chelsea handed Pinckney its first Southeastern Conference White defeat, 1-0, to tighten the league race – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
8. BOYS SOCCER Detroit Catholic Central edged rival Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 3-2 – Oakland Press
9. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 2 Holland improved to 10-2-2 with a 3-0 win over Zeeland West – Holland Sentinel
10. VOLLEYBALL Division 2 honorable mention Dundee quickly bounced back from a slow start to sweep Monroe – Monroe News
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.)