Today in the MHSAA: 4/12/19
April 12, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Another colossal Grand Rapids-area lacrosse matchup, this time between boys contenders, tops our list of Thursday’s most exciting results just ahead of the best from girls soccer and softball.
1. Boys Lacrosse: In a rematch of the last three Division 2 championship games, reigning runner-up Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central defeated two-time reigning champion East Grand Rapids 17-5 – FOX 17
2. Girls Soccer: Richland Gull Lake won a matchup of annual MHSAA title contenders 3-0 over Forest Hills Central – Kalamazoo Gazette
3. Softball: Schoolcraft put up a pair of impressive wins over Division 4 No. 2 Kalamazoo Christian – JoeInsider.com
4. Softball: Division 1 No. 3 Clarkston swept No. 5 South Lyon with a pair of one-run wins – State Champs Sports Network
5. Baseball: Division 1 No. 13 Rochester continued its strong start with a 7-2 win over Division 2 No. 10 Detroit Country Day – Detroit News
6. Girls Soccer: Quincy repeated as winner of the “Battle of the Birds” game against Coldwater, 2-1 – Coldwater Daily Reporter
7. Girls Soccer: Hartland continued its early surge with a 5-3 win over Canton – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
8. Softball: Birmingham Seaholm swept Bloomfield Hills Marian, winning the second game on a single in the bottom of the seventh inning – Observer & Eccentric
9. Girls Soccer: Jackson Christian scored three goals over the final 13 minutes to get past Hillsdale 5-3 – Hillsdale Daily News
10. Baseball: Division 1 No. 7 Lake Orion downed formerly-ranked Pontiac Notre Dame Prep – Oakland Press
Also of note …
Baseball: From Tuesday, Niles Brandywine swept Constantine to reach 900 wins since the program started in 1962 – Niles Daily Star
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.)