Today in the MHSAA: 10/5/16
October 5, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Tuesday’s top statewide action arguably came on the soccer pitch, as top-ranked teams in three divisions battled for league supremacy.
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.
Girls Golf
Six golfers broke 100 as Marysville won the Macomb Area Conference White tournament after finishing second in the league during the regular season – Port Huron Times Herald
Adrian Madison repeated at Lenawee County champion with a career-best 76 from individual medalist Nicole Olden – Adrian Daily Telegram
Boys Soccer
Division 1 No. 5 Brighton held onto control of first in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West with a draw against rival Grand Blanc, 1-1, with both goals scored during the closing minutes – Livingston Daily Argus & Press
Top-seed Grand Ledge edged Jackson 1-0 in the first round of the Capital Area Activities Conference Gold Cup – Lansing State Journal
Haslett, No. 19 in Division 2, edged Division 3 No. 13 Lansing Catholic 2-1 in another CAAC Gold Cup opener – Lansing State Journal
Division 2 No. 5 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood downed No. 20 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 2-1 in a key Detroit Catholic League AA matchup – Oakland Press
Girls Swimming & Diving
Saginaw Heritage earned 30 career-best times in downing Mount Pleasant and Lapeer in a tri-meet – Saginaw News
Unranked Sturgis earned a 93-71 win over LPD3 honorable mention Allegan with 15 personal-best times – Sturgis Journal
Volleyball
Class A No. 4 Clarkston dropped the first and third sets before coming back to edge Bloomfield Hills 16-14 in the deciding fifth game – Oakland Press
Allen Park held on to first place in the Downriver League alone with a 3-1 win over second-place Trenton – 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.)