Today in the MHSAA: 9/6/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 6, 2023
1. GIRLS GOLF Brighton – top-ranked in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – carded a 314 at Oakland Hills to finish second to Ohio power Medina Highland at the Crain Homes Invitational; No. 2 Rochester was fourth and second among Michigan teams – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
2. CROSS COUNTRY Otsego swept Shamrock Invitational championships at Berrien County Fairgrounds – Athletic.net | Niles Daily Star
3. GIRLS GOLF Remus Chippewa Hills carded a 382 to win the St. Ives Tournament by 18 strokes – Big Rapids Pioneer
4. BOYS SOCCER Division 3 No. 3 Detroit Country Day downed Division 2 No. 14 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood 3-2 – Oakland Press
5. CROSS COUNTRY The Carleton Airport girls, New Boston Huron boys and both Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central teams celebrated victories at Erie Mason’s Frank Connolly Relays – Monroe News
6. BOYS SOCCER Division 1 No. 9 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern won a match of undefeated teams 3-1 win over Byron Center – FOX17
7. VOLLEYBALL Division 3 No. 8 Shelby opened league play with a sweep of Mason County Central – MI Sports Now
8. BOYS SOCCER Easton Lopez scored four goals in Muskegon Mona Shores’ win over Muskegon High – Local Sports Journal
9. VOLLEYBALL Iron Mountain swept Norway during Parent Night, coming back from a 10-2 deficit in the first set – Upper Michigan Source
10. VOLLEYBALL Dearborn Heights Crestwood swept Southgate Anderson – Southgate News-Herald
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.)