Today in the MHSAA: 2/9/17
February 9, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The wrestling postseason kicked off Wednesday night with Team Districts, and at least four champs added to winning streaks running at least a decade. Detroit Catholic Central also is saying goodbye to a legendary coach who led the football program for 40 years.
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 Bowling
Zeeland’s Olivia Hoeksema set school records with a 258 game and 461 series in her team’s 24-6 win over Hudsonville Unity Christian – Holland Sentinel
Competitive Cheer
Warren Cousino won the Macomb Area Conference Red title after edging Sterling Heights Stevenson by seven tenths of a point in the final division meet – Macomb Daily
Wrestling
Caro downed Essexville Garber and then Freeland, 36-33, in the final in Division 3 to win its 24th straight District title – Saginaw News
No. 6 Allendale won its 10th straight District title, downing Holland 56-20 in a Division 2 matchup of league champs – Grand Rapids Press
Allegan just edged Hamilton 35-33 in Division 2 to win a 19th straight District title – Grand Rapids Press
Also in Division 3, Remus Chippewa Hills downed Reed City to win a 13th straight District title – Big Rapids News
In Division 2, No. 4 Niles edged rival Stevensville Lakeshore 34-24 after winning a dual last week by two points – South Bend Tribune
Football
Longtime Detroit Catholic Central coach Tom Mach has retired after 40 years and as Michigan’s third-winningest in the sport – Oakland Press
Boys Golf
Former PGA Tour pro Tom Gillis has been hired as coach at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep – Detroit 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.)