Today in the MHSAA: 9/29/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 29, 2022
1. GIRLS TENNIS Negaunee earned its eighth Finals title in 10 seasons to kick off the 2022-23 MHSAA championship series – MHSAA.com
2. GIRLS GOLF Rochester Adams— No. 5 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – won its first Oakland County championship, claiming the Division 1 title with a 325 – Oakland Press
3. GIRLS GOLF LPD3 No. 10 Ludington finished first, Whitehall second and LPD4 No. 8 Montague third at the West Michigan Conference Tournament, with Ludington also claiming the overall title – CatchMark SportsNet
4. VOLLEYBALL Division 1 top-ranked Bloomfield Hills Marian moved to 27-0 with a sweep of No. 3 Farmington Hills Mercy – Oakland Press
5. GIRLS GOLF Freeland and St. Louis closed league seasons with Tri-Valley Conference championships – Saginaw News
6. GIRLS GOLF Adrian finished a championship run through the Southeastern Conference White – Adrian Daily Telegram
7. GIRLS GOLF Vicksburg shot a 371 to clear the field by 25 strokes at the Wolverine Conference Tournament – Sturgis Journal
8. BOYS SOCCER Kent City downed Newaygo 4-0 to clinch a share of the Central State Activities Association Bronze title – Local Sports Journal
9. BOYS TENNIS Muskegon Mona Shores claimed the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association championship – Local Sports Journal
10. BOYS SOCCER Bullock Creek remains atop the Tri-Valley Conference 10 standings after a win over Standish-Sterling – Midland Daily 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.)