Today in the MHSAA: 12/12/19
December 12, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Wrestling and bowling entered our daily headline report for the first time after a highlight-filled Wednesday that also saw intriguing results from hockey, girls and boys basketball and gymnastics.
1. Wrestling: Division 3 No. 4 Remus Chippewa Hills started the season with a big victory, 43-32 over Division 1 No. 9 Grandville – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
2. Hockey: Division 2 No. 4 Hartland remained unbeaten with a 4-2 win over No. 9 Howell – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
3. Wrestling: Division 2 No. 9 Stevensville Lakeshore opened with a 32-31 win over Indiana power Mishawaka – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
4. Bowling: A pair of annual Division 4 title contenders faced off, with Vandercook Lake getting past Napoleon 16-15 in the boys match and Napoleon winning the girls 25-5 – JTV
5. Hockey: Division 3 No. 7 Midland Dow moved to 5-0 with a 3-1 win over Division 2 No. 10 Davison – Midland Daily News
6. Wrestling: Division 2 No. 2 Gaylord swept Rogers City and Oscoda, with Blue Devils coach Jerry LaJoie winning his 700th dual – Gaylord Herald Times
7. Girls Basketball: Sarah Sylvester sank the winning free throw with three seconds to play in Bloomfield Hills Marian’s 40-39 win over Auburn Hills Avondale – Oakland Press
8. Boys Basketball: Roseville downed New Haven 74-44 in a matchup of reigning Macomb Area Conference champions – Macomb Daily
9. Gymnastics: Escanaba took a major step toward its goal of making Regionals as a team, scoring 123 points in a win over Negaunee – Escanaba Daily Press
10. Girls basketball: Cedar Springs is 4-0 for the first time in recent memory after a 49-39 win over Newaygo – FOX 17
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.)