Today in the MHSAA: 9/27/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 27, 2022
1. BOYS SOCCER Fennville is the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore champion after a 2-0 win over Watervliet – Holland Sentinel
2. BOYS SOCCER Pinckney is a repeat champion of the Southeastern Conference White after clinching with a win over Ypsilanti Community – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
3. BOYS TENNIS Midland Dow – top-ranked in Lower Peninsula Division 2 – finished the regular season 24-0-1 with a sweep of Saginaw Heritage – Midland Daily News
4. BOYS SOCCER Buckley and Leland are tied for first in the Northwest Conference after Suttons Bay downed Buckley 2-0 – Up North Live
5. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 6 Holland Christian edged rival Holland High 1-0 – Holland Sentinel
6. BOYS SOCCER Utica Ford drew closer to first in the Macomb Area Conference White with a 1-0 win over league leader Romeo – Macomb Daily
7. CROSS COUNTRY Sault Ste. Marie swept victories at the second Straits Area Conference meet; the boys team is ranked No. 2 in Upper Peninsula Division 1, and the girls team is No. 3 – Cheboygan Daily Tribune
8. BOYS SOCCER Division 2 No. 14 Ludington ran its winning streak to eight with a victory over Fremont – Local Sports Journal
9. BOYS SOCCER Maple City Glen Lake edged Benzie Central 2-1 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
10. BOYS SOCCER Adrian also won in the SEC White, downing Jackson 4-0 – Adrian Daily Telegram
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.)