Today in the MHSAA: 9/24/24
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 24, 2024
1. GIRLS GOLF Alena Li carded a 64 and Okemos – ranked No. 1 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – scored a school-record 308 in winning the Capital Area Activities Conference Open – Lansing State Journal
2. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 11 Bay City John Glenn played to a 2-2 draw with Division 3 No. 14 Alma to secure its first league title in this sport since 2005 – Bay City Times
3. BOYS SOCCER Brooklyn Columbia Central downed Manchester 4-1 to clinch the Cascades Conference championship – Jackson Citizen Patriot
4. GIRLS GOLF Adrian won its third straight Lenawee County championship – Adrian Daily Telegram
5. CROSS COUNTRY The Cheboygan girls won the Indian River Inland Lakes Invitational, its third invite championship this season – Cheboygan Tribune
6. GIRLS GOLF LPD1 No. 4 Grand Blanc claimed the Midland Dow Invitational title – WJRT
7. BOYS SOCCER Division 4 No. 4 Clarkston Everest Collegiate downed No. 12 Bloomfield Hills Roeper 7-1 – Oakland Press
8. BOYS SOCCER Allen Park played to a 1-1 draw with Division 1 No. 13 Dearborn Edsel Ford – Dearborn Press & Guide
9. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 8 New Boston Huron drew 1-1 with Division 3 No. 7 Milan to keep the Huron League race open – Monroe News
10. BOYS SOCCER Melvindale and Dearborn Heights Crestwood played to a 3-3 draw, setting them up to potentially finish as co-champions in the Western Wayne Athletic Conference – Southgate News-Herald
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.)