Today in the MHSAA: 2/10/17
February 10, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A 40-year school scoring record fell Thursday as wrestling Team District tournaments finished up as well.
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
Hillman’s Vanessa Schook broke the school scoring record going back to 1977 in a win over Lincoln Alcona – Alpena News
Munising improved to 15-0 with a 53-40 win over Crystal Falls Forest Park in a matchup of Skyline Central Conference division leaders – Iron Mountain Daily News
Bay City Western downed rival Central 31-25 as McKenna Walker scored her 1,000th career point – Midland Daily News
From Tuesday, Niles Brandywine coach Josh Hood earned his 300th win with his team’s 39-29 victory over Bangor – Niles Daily Star
Boys Basketball
Whitehall needed overtime to survive North Muskegon 45-43 and remain undefeated in the West Michigan Conference – Muskegon Chronicle
Boys Bowling
Coldwater capped the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference season undefeated with a win over Jackson Lumen Christi – Coldwater Daily Reporter
Wrestling
Bay City Western earned its eighth straight District title in Division 1 as senior Gabe Bruzewski won his 100th career match – Bay City Times
After finishing just behind Alma in the Tri-Valley Conference Central this season, Chesaning got past the Panthers to win a Division 3 District – Saginaw News
In Division 1, Wyandotte Roosevelt won its first District title since 2006 – Southgate News Herald
No. 2-ranked Richmond won its 19th straight District title, dominating again in Division 3 – Macomb Daily
Football
We mentioned the retirement Thursday of Detroit Catholic Central coach Tom Mach, and here’s more of the coverage of the 41-year leader stepping down – Observer & Eccentric
Good Read
Detroit West Side Academy junior Brian Williams nearly drowned as a child, but has mastered the water to the point of possibly contending at the MHSAA Swimming & Diving Finals – Detroit Free Press
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.)