Today in the MHSAA: 10/3/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 3, 2022
1. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING Rochester Adams – No. 7 in Lower Peninsula Division 2 – won its first Oakland County championship, also ending LPD1 No. 4 Farmington Hills Mercy’s 18-year title run at the meet – Oakland Press
2. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING LPD3 No. 3 Holland Christian was first and No. 4 Milan second at the D3 Invitational – Holland Sentinel
3. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING Macomb L’Anse Creuse North won the final event to clinch the Macomb County championship – Macomb Daily
4. BOYS TENNIS Sturgis and Vicksburg tied for the Wolverine Conference Tournament title, but Sturgis earned the overall championship with a perfect dual match record – Sturgis Journal
5. CROSS COUNTRY The Okemos girls and LPD1 No. 7 Traverse City Central boys won the elite races at the Shepherd Bluejay Invitational – Traverse City Record-Eagle | Athletic.net
6. CROSS COUNTRY The LPD2 No. 5 St. Joseph girls and Berrien Springs boys earned Berrien County Meet championships – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
7. VOLLEYBALL Homer swept Division 4 No. 8 Hillsdale Academy in the final to win its own invitational – Jackson Citizen Patriot
8. BOYS TENNIS LPD3 No. 4 Chelsea won every set in claiming Trenton’s Honor and Glory Tournament title – Chelsea Sun Times News
9. CROSS COUNTRY The LPD1 No. 2 Holland West Ottawa and LPD2 No. 1 Otsego girls and LPD1 No. 2 Portage Central and LPD2 No. 1 East Grand Rapids boys were among champions at the Otsego Invitational – Athletic.net
10. CROSS COUNTRY Grand Haven swept races and the LPD4 No. 1 Wyoming Potter’s House Christian boys were also among winners at the Allendale Falcon Invitational; Grand Haven’s boys are No. 3 in LPD1 – Local Sports Journal | Athletic.net
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.)