Today in the MHSAA: 10/20/16
October 20, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A few more upsets rang out across the boys soccer tournament Wednesday as a number of teams clinched appearances in District Finals.
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.
Boys Soccer
Sterling Heights Stevenson eliminated No. 9 Utica Ford 4-3 in a Division 1 semifinal – Macomb Daily
Undefeated Midland Dow extended its unbeaten streak to 22 in moving on to a Division 1 District Final with a 3-1 win over Bay City Western – Saginaw News
Division 3 No. 10 Tawas edged No. 11 Gladwin 1-0 in a semifinal – Bay City Times
Division 3 No. 13 Lansing Catholic got past rival and No. 5 Williamston 2-1 – Lansing State Journal
The Muskegon area is loaded in Division 4, shown again as unranked Muskegon Catholic Central downed No. 4 North Muskegon 2-1 – Muskegon Chronicle
Division 2 No. 9 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook shut out No. 20 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 2-0 – Oakland Press
Volleyball
Jackson Lumen Christi downed neighbor Parma Western 3-1 in the “Kills for Kellen” game to benefit childhood cancer research and honor 9-year-old Kellen McCord, who is battling nerve cell cancer and has a cousin on the Titans – Jackson Citizen-Patriot
From Tuesday, Kingsford downed Escanaba to claim the Great Northern Conference championship – Iron Mountain Daily News
Class B No. 6 Battle Creek Harper Creek handed Coldwater a first league loss in a matchup of top Interstate 8 Athletic Conference teams – Coldwater Daily Reporter
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.)