Today in the MHSAA: 12/15/16
December 15, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Hockey and girls basketball saw a few key local matchups come out a little differently than the recent past Wednesday night, and take a look as well at a State Champs! video report on the Big Ten’s move to playing football on Friday nights.
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 Basketball
Millington earned its first win in four seasons over Birch Run, 56-49, to set up a Tri-Valley Conference East matchup for first place with Frankenmuth this weekend – Saginaw News
From Tuesday, Negaunee handed Marquette the latter’s first home loss since February 2012, 48-38 – Marquette Mining Journal
Bowling
Battle Creek Pennfield’s girls and boys teams swept the Battle Creek All-City championships, the girls for the eighth straight season and the boys for the sixth straight – Battle Creek Enquirer
Hockey
Flint Powers Catholic avenged last season’s Regional Final loss to Saginaw Heritage with a 4-2 win thanks in part to Brendan Smith’s hat trick – Flint Journal
Wrestling
Brighton, No. 8 in Division 1, clinched a 35-34 win over Division 3 No. 2 Lake Fenton in the night’s second-to-last match – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
Unranked Jonesville took Division 4 No. 5 Springport to the final match before Springport prevailed – Hillsdale Daily News
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.)