Today In The MHSAA: 4/19/21
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 19, 2021
Some of the stars from the last spring season played in 2019 have become the first this spring to shine again, including over the weekend on the diamonds and track.
1. Softball: Brynn Polega struck out a record book-worthy 22 batters over 10 innings as Unionville-Sebewaing outlasted Essexville Garber 1-0 – Bay City Times
2. Baseball: Division 2 top-ranked Orchard Lake St. Mary’s swept Division 1 No. 3 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice to move to 13-0 this spring – Oakland Press
3. Girls Track & Field: Petoskey’s Emma Squires was a star of Remus Chippewa Hills’ Warrior Invitational, breaking a 29-year-old school record among three race wins – Petoskey News-Review
4. Boys Golf: East Grand Rapids shot a 319 to win the Coldwater Invitational – Coldwater Daily Reporter
5. Softball: Escanaba and Jackson Northwest split a pair over the weekend – JTV
6. Baseball: North Muskegon’s Charlie Branch missed a perfect game by an out in a 2-0 win over Division 4 No. 11 Muskegon Catholic Central – Muskegon Chronicle
7. Girls Tennis: Division 3 No. 7 Chelsea won 20 of 24 individual matches in defeating Flint Powers Catholic, St. Clair and Saline – Chelsea Sun Times News
8. Softball: Three Rivers won a pair over Plainwell, with standout Kali Heivilin hitting her 40th career homer during the second game – WWMT
9. Softball: Morrice scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to get past Potterville 19-18 in the latter’s invitational championship game – Owosso Argus-Press
10. Baseball: Phil Yancey threw a no-hitter in his first varsity game to lead New Boston Huron past Lincoln Park in a doubleheader sweep – Monroe 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.)