Today in the MHSAA: 5/2/19
May 2, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Wednesday’s most newsworthy action came on the tennis courts, where ranked teams clashed and a league champion was crowned.
1. Girls Tennis: Chesaning claimed what might be the first league title awarded this spring, closing out the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference championship – Owosso Argus-Press
2. Girls Tennis: Bloomfield Hills, No. 2 in Lower Peninsula Division 1, handed No. 7 Midland Dow its first loss, 5-3 – Midland Daily News
3. Girls Tennis: LPD4 No. 6 North Muskegon also won a matchup of ranked teams, downing No. 8 Grant 5-3 in a meeting of two of the best in Division 4 – Local Sports Journal
4. Girls Soccer: Bridgman handed Division 4 No. 8 St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic its first loss this season, 4-2 – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
5. Baseball: Birmingham Brother Rice scored on a walk-off walk to defeat rival and Division 1 No. 17 Detroit Catholic Central 7-6 – State Champs Sports Network
6. Boys Lacrosse: Detroit Country Day, No. 10 in Division 2 entering the week, came back to edge Flint Powers Catholic 12-11 with the game-winner coming during the final minute – WJRT
7. Softball: Bronson earned an important league sweep of Jonesville, with Lynsey Smith tossing a no-hitter in the doubleheader’s first game – Coldwater Daily Reporter
8. Girls Lacrosse: Lowell held off Spring Lake’s comeback attempt, 9-8 – Grand Haven Tribune
9. Girls Soccer: Portage Central improved to 7-2-2 with a big win over rival Portage Northern – JoeInsider.com
10. Girls Soccer: Division 1 No. 2 Grand Blanc also added to its impressive start with a shutout of Lapeer – WJRT
Also of note …
Saginaw Heritage: Athletic director and MHSAA Representative Council member Pete Ryan announced he will retire at the end of this school year – Saginaw News
O-K Conference: The Ottawa-Kent Conference realignment plan announced last week actually fell short by a vote based on a league bylaw, so leadership will continue to work on a new plan – 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.)