Today in the MHSAA: 1/13/20
January 13, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A pair of basketball buzzer beaters, an overtime game-winning hockey goal and a first-time achievement in gymnastics were among weekend headliners, topped by a titanic matchup in cheer.
1. Competitive Cheer: Two-time reigning Division 2 Finals runner-up Allen Park outpaced Dearborn Divine Child (fourth in 2019) to win the Division 2 and overall championships at its home invitational – Southgate News-Herald
2. Hockey: Division 1 No. 8 Holland West Ottawa got past Division 3 No. 5 Grand Rapids Catholic Central 3-2 in overtime – FOX 17
3. Gymnastics: Escanaba defeated Marquette and Negaunee and broke 120 points for the fourth time to qualify for Regional competition for the first time – Escanaba Daily Press
4. Girls Bowling: Coldwater defeated Macomb Dakota in the final of the Battle of the Baker – Coldwater Daily Reporter
5. Girls Basketball: Saline won a matchup of unbeaten teams, 40-18 over Dexter – Saline Post
6. Boys Basketball: E.J. Bowman’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer carried Waterford Mott past Grand Blanc 60-57 – State Champs Sports Network
7. Hockey: Traverse Bay Reps beat Macomb Dakota and Davison during the North/South Showcase – Traverse City Record-Eagle
8. Boys Basketball: Centreville also was victorious on a last-second 3-pointer, as Dustin Schwenk sank the game-winning shot in a 68-67 overtime win over Marcellus – Sturgis Journal
9. Wrestling: Chelsea defeated Fowlerville, Riverview, Michigan Center, Allen Park and Melvindale to win its home invitational – Chelsea Sun Times News
10. Wrestling: Kingsley took a major step as a program with a championship at the Grayling Team Tournament – Traverse City Record-Eagle
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.)