Today in the MHSAA: 9/4/24
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 4, 2024
1. BOYS SOCCER Grayling improved to 5-0 and has yet to give up a goal after defeating Kingsley 6-0 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
2. BOYS SOCCER Bay City John Glenn moved to 8-0-1 with their eighth shutout, this one over Essexville Garber – Bay City Times
3. CROSS COUNTRY The Onsted girls and Brooklyn Columbia Central boys won Keunner Invitational titles in Addison – Jackson Citizen Patriot | Athletic.net
4. BOYS SOCCER Nolan McHenry scored all four goals in Walled Lake Northern’s 4-1 win over Walled Lake Western – Oakland Press
5. CROSS COUNTRY Pairs from host Erie Mason and Flat Rock won Connolly Relays championships – Monroe News
6. VOLLEYBALL Division 2 No. 10 Frankenmuth edged Birch Run 3-2 – WNEM
7. VOLLEYBALL Marquette improved to 4-0 with a 3-1 victory over Menominee – Upper Michigan Source
8. BOYS TENNIS Traverse City Central, tied for No. 10 in Lower Peninsula Division 2, earned a 7-1 win over rival Traverse City West – Traverse City Record-Eagle
9. BOYS SOCCER Traverse City West opened league play with a 6-0 win over Alpena – MI Sports Now
10. BOYS SOCCER Elk Rapids earned a league victory 1-0 over Harbor Springs – Up North Live
Also of note …
BASEBALL Dan Cimini, most recently the coach of Northville’s Division 1 championship team this spring, is taking over at Warren De La Salle Collegiate – Macomb Daily
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.)