Today in the MHSAA: 9/28/16
September 28, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A pair of tupsets in Oakland County made the biggest waves Tuesday, but there were plenty of accomplishments to note elsewhere as well in cross country, soccer and volleyball.
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
Pinckney’s girls moved into first place in the loaded Kensington Lakes Activities Association West with a win over Hartland; Pinckney finished 10th in Lower Peninsula Division 1 last season, while current second-place teams Brighton and Milford finished second and third, respectively, in LPD1 last year – Livingston Daily Argus & Press
The St. Clair Shores Lakeview boys locked up their seventh straight Macomb Area Conference Blue championship – Macomb Daily
Lower Peninsula Division 1 No. 6 Ann Arbor Pioneer just edged No. 15 Saline in the girls Southeastern Conference jamboree – Saline Post
Boys Soccer
Division 1 No. 20 Rochester Hills Stoney Creek could enjoy a big jump in the poll next week after downing No. 4 Rochester Adams 1-0 – Oakland Press
Unranked Grand Ledge remained undefeated with a 0-0 draw against East Lansing, which is No. 2 in Division 2 this week – MLive-Lansing
Volleyball
Lake Orion, an honorable mention in Class A this week, took down No. 3 Clarkston in five sets after falling behind 2-1 – Oakland Press
Class C No. 3 Kalamazoo Christian fought back from a 2-0 deficit to get past rival Hackett 3-2 – Kalamazoo Gazette
Midland moved into first place alone in the Saginaw Valley League North with a 3-2 win over Saginaw Heritage – Midland Daily News
Class B honorable mention Grant got past vastly improved Remus Chippewa Hills 3-0 to stay atop their division of the Central State Activities Association – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
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.)