Today in the MHSAA: 10/27/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 27, 2022
1. VOLLEYBALL Gladwin clinched its first volleyball league title since 1978 with a sweep of Farwell, Pinconning and Sanford Meridian in the Jack Pine Conference – Midland Daily News
2. BOYS SOCCER Muskegon Western Michigan Christian handed No. 7 Marcellus Howardsville Christian its lone loss of the season, 3-0, in a Division 4 Regional Semifinal – MuskegonSports.com
3. BOYS SOCCER Top-ranked Hartford also advanced in Division 4 with a 2-1 win over No. 5 Grandville Calvin Christian.
4. BOYS SOCCER Honorable mention McBain Northern Michigan Christian and Leland will meet in a Division 4 Regional Final as both were victorious in Semifinals – Up North Live
5. VOLLEYBALL Division 2 honorable mention Cadillac clinched a share of an eighth-consecutive Big North Conference title with a sweep of Petoskey – Cadillac News
6. VOLLEYBALL Traverse City Central also is a BNC co-champion thanks to a sweep of Traverse City West – MI Sports Now
7. VOLLEYBALL Coldwater swept Division 4 No. 4 Mendon and defeated No. 7 Battle Creek St. Philip in four sets – Coldwater Daily Reporter
8. VOLLEYBALL Bronson defeated St. Philip in four sets and swept Division 4 top-ranked Adrian Lenawee Christian – Sturgis Journal
9. VOLLEYBALL Kira Patrick went over 1,000 career assists as Corunna swept Holly – Owosso Argus-Press
10. VOLLEYBALL Charlevoix fell to Division 4 No. 2 Leland but rebounded with a win over Traverse City Christian – Petoskey News-Review
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.)