Today in the MHSAA: 9/26/16
September 26, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Fall seemed to arrive all over Michigan over the weekend, and with some cooler weather came strong performances on the cross country course and in the pool.
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
The Coldwater boys, No. 7 in Lower Peninsula Division 2, followed undefeated Shuaib Aljabaly to another championship in the Division 2 race at the Jackson High Invitational; Birmingham Seaholm’s girls, Otsego’s girls, Jackson Lumen Christi’s girls, Birmingham Brother Rice’s boys and Stockbridge’s boys also won championships – Coldwater Daily Reporter
South Lyon's girls repeated as champions of the Center Line Invitational with a one-point win over Berkley – Observer & Eccentric
Girls Golf
Bay City Central finished only a stroke from winning the Bay County championship in 2015, but came back to take the title by 39 strokes with a score of 383 – Bay City Times
Girls Swimming & Diving
East Grand Rapids reigned atop an elite field at its Pioneer Classic with 634 points, 40 ahead of runner-up Farmington Hills Mercy – Ann Arbor News
Midland Dow won a sixth straight Tri-Cities championship in part paced by record-setting freshman Claire Newman – Midland Daily News
Girls Tennis
Iron River West Iron County won its first Great Northern Conference championship in 18 years by claiming the league tournament title – Iron Mountain Daily News
Volleyball
Class C Munising downed Class A Marquette to win the Redettes’ invitational after falling in the tournament final last season – Marquette Mining Journal
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.)