Today in the MHSAA: 10/7/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 7, 2022
1. GIRLS GOLF St. Louis edged Shepherd by eight strokes to clinch its first Regional title in golf, in Lower Peninsula Division 4 – Saginaw News
2. BOYS TENNIS Fowlerville also won its first Regional in this sport, edging DeWitt by two points in LPD3 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
3. VOLLEYBALL Division 1 honorable mention Saline shuffled the league standings and possibly the state rankings with a sweep of No. 3 Ann Arbor Skyline – Chelsea Sun Times News
4. BOYS TENNIS No. 6 Birmingham Seaholm was first and reigning Finals champion and current No. 5 Groves second at their LPD2 Regional – Oakland Press
5. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING LPD1 No. 3 Northville swam past No. 5 Brighton 98-88 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
6. BOYS TENNIS Sturgis is returning to the LPD3 Finals after claiming a Regional title – Sturgis Journal
7. BOYS TENNIS No. 2 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern was first and No. 8 Traverse City Central second at their LPD2 Regional – Traverse City Record-Eagle
8. BOYS SOCCER Division 1 No. 14 Saline clinched the Southeastern Conference Red title with a big win over Ypsilanti Lincoln – Saline Post
9. BOYS SOCCER Portage Central got past Mattawan in a shootout to claim the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference Tournament title – Kalamazoo Gazette
10. BOYS SOCCER East Lansing defeated Okemos 1-0 to claim the Capital Area Activities Conference Gold Cup – Lansing State Journal
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.)