Today in the MHSAA: 5/10/23
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
May 10, 2023
1. GIRLS TENNIS Macomb Dakota followed No. 1 singles champion Eva Stevanovic to the Macomb Area Conference White Tournament championship – Macomb Daily
2. BOYS GOLF Saginaw Swan Valley, No. 12 in Lower Peninsula Division 3, shot a 322 to edge Freeland and LPD4 No. 7 Nouvel by four strokes and win the Saginaw County Championship – Saginaw News
3. GIRLS SOCCER Division 2 No. 10 Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood shut out Division 4 No. 9 Royal Oak Shrine Catholic 3-0 to clinch a share of the Detroit Catholic League AA championship – Oakland Press
4. BASEBALL Division 4 No. 4 Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes claimed a share of the Detroit Catholic League Intersectional title with a split against No. 12 Royal Oak Shrine Catholic – Oakland Press
5. GIRLS SOCCER Lowell edged Division 3 No. 12 Allegan 1-0, handing the Tigers their first defeat – Grand Rapids Press
6. SOFTBALL Division 1 honorable mention Rochester Hills Stoney Creek swept No. 8 Lake Orion 1-0 and 4-0 – Oakland Press
7. TRACK & FIELD Petersburg Summerfield and Morenci split, Summerfield’s boys winning as Brandon Thompson broke the school’s 800 record set in 1976. Summerfield’s boys are No. 8 in LPD4 – Monroe News
8. BOYS LACROSSE Haslett/Williamston moved on to the Capital Area Activities Conference Cup championship game with an 8-7 win over Okemos – Lansing State Journal
9. BASEBALL Division 1 No. 6 Zeeland East swept Muskegon Mona Shores 1-0 and 5-0 – Muskegon Chronicle
10. BASEBALL Byron Center swept Grand Rapids Northview, with Kellen Payne throwing a 1-0 no-hitter in the opener – Grand Rapids Press
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.)