Today in the MHSAA: 5/29/19
May 29, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
District competition began in baseball and softball Tuesday and continued in girls soccer, while Regional titles were awarded in lacrosse as the MHSAA postseason rolled on.
1. Girls Soccer: No. 15 Utica Eisenhower moved on in a big way in Division 1 with a 3-0 District Semifinal win over No. 3 Rochester Hills Stoney Creek – Macomb Daily
2. Baseball: Adrian scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to upset No. 5 Chelsea 7-6 in a Division 2 District opener – Adrian Daily Telegram
3. Boys Lacrosse: East Grand Rapids scored the game’s final 11 goals in an 11-1 Division 2 Regional Final win over Spring Lake; the teams were ranked Nos. 2 and 4, respectively, entering the postseason – FOX 17
4. Boys Lacrosse: No. 2 Detroit Catholic Central finished its Division 1 Regional run with a 23-10 win over No. 7 South Lyon – State Champs Sports Network
5. Baseball: No. 6 Sterling Heights Stevenson opened Division 1 District play with a 7-0 win over Clinton Township Chippewa Valley on a no-hitter by Nick Rutkowski – Detroit News
6. Softball: Jenison opened the Division 1 District with a 10-1 win over Byron Center in a matchup of honorable mention teams – FOX 17
7. Boys Lacrosse: Hartland got past Midland 17-11 to clinch a Division 1 Regional title – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
8. Softball: Bark River-Harris clinched its second straight Skyline Central Conference title with a 5-3 win over Norway – Escanaba Daily Press
9. Softball: Hillman downed Posen 7-6 in a Division 4 opener with a walk-off single – WBKB
10. Girls Soccer: Ann Arbor Huron avenged a loss (and a tie) to Saline from the regular season with a 2-0 Division 1 District Semifinal win – We Love Ann Arbor
Also of note …
College decisions: The Petoskey News-Review and Gaylord Herald-Times put together a three-part series on high school athletes deciding to continue athletics after their time at the prep level is complete, and the challenges and rewards of competing at the collegiate level – Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Girls Basketball: Assistant Tim Webb will take over the Detroit Country Day program from retired Frank Orlando – State Champs Sports Network
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.)