Today in the MHSAA: 4/17/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 17, 2023
1. SOFTBALL Division 4 honorable mention Mendon defeated host and No. 2-ranked Holton in the final and honorable mention Indian River Inland Lakes and No. 4 Hillman to get there in clinching the Red Devil Invitational title – Sturgis Journal
2. GIRLS SOCCER Division 2 No. 3 Richland Gull Lake bounced back from a Wednesday loss to defeat Division 3 top-ranked Hudsonville Unity Christian 1-0 – Kalamazoo Gazette
3. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 13 Bay City Western won big over Division 2 No. 5 Bay City John Glenn in the Bay County Championship final – Bay City Times
4. GIRLS SOCCER Division 2 No. 4 Spring Lake downed Division 4 No. 3 North Muskegon 6-2 – CatchMark SportsNet
5. GIRLS SOCCER Division 1 No. 5 Hudsonville downed Division 2 No. 2 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 5-0 – Grand Rapids Press
6. BOYS GOLF Belding shot a 332 to win the Ionia County Shootout for the first time – Greenville Daily News
7. BOYS GOLF Grand Rapids West Catholic was the overall winner at the Kent City Invitational with a 330 – Local Sports Journal
8. GIRLS SOCCER After defeating Division 3 No. 5 Essexville Garber 3-2 in pool play, Bay City Western clinched the Bay County championship with a big win over Bay City Central – Bay City Times
9. SOFTBALL Division 2 No. 3 Essexville Garber defeated Bay City Central to clinch a third-straight Bay County title – Bay City Times
10. BASEBALL Flushing swept Division 2 No. 15 Frankenmuth 8-5 in eight innings and 6-5 – Mid-Michigan Now
Also of note …
HOCKEY Houghton coach Corey Markham announced his retirement – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
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.)