Today in the MHSAA: 2/19/16
February 19, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A couple of streaks are worth noting in today’s report – one for winning an incredible number of consecutive league games, and the other for success reaching more than a decade.
Girls Basketball
In a matchup of two of the best in the Upper Peninsula, Marquette held on to down Houghton 42-37 – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
Muskegon Oakridge won its 50th straight game in the West Michigan Conference for finish undefeated champion of the league for the third season in a row – Muskegon Chronicle
Newberry won a matchup of 16-1 teams, defeating St. Ignace 54-50 to win the Straits Area Conference in what also was its first win over the Saints since 1992 – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News
Boys Basketball
Wyoming Potter’s House Christian celebrated a 30-point win over Kalamazoo Heritage Christian, but Heritage Christian’s Bryant Cross did score the 1,000th point of his career – Grand Rapids Press
Utica Ford earned arguably the night’s biggest upset statewide, handing a second loss this season to New Haven, 73-71 – Macomb Daily
Saginaw remains in first place in the Saginaw Valley League North, but Midland continued to enjoy its best league run in decades with a 58-51 win over the Trojans – Midland Daily News
Wrestling
From Thursday, Hartland won its 15th straight Regional title, dominating in Division 1 against Walled Lake Central and Warren Mott – Livingston Daily
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.)