Today in the MHSAA: 6/2/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 2, 2022
1. GOLF/BOYS TENNIS The first five MHSAA Finals championships of this spring were decided in the Upper Peninsula in Division 1 boys tennis and Division 1 and 2 girls and boys golf – Second Half
2. GIRLS LACROSSE Huron Valley United handed No. 7 Midland/Dow its lone loss in a Division 1 Regional Semifinal, 22-19 – Spinal Column
3. GIRLS LACROSSE No. 4 Bloomfield Hills advanced to a Division 1 Regional Final with an 18-14 win over No. 5 Birmingham United – Oakland Press
4. BOYS GOLF No. 5 Detroit Catholic Central, No. 7 Northville and No. 6 Brighton advanced from their Lower Peninsula Division 1 Regional, Brighton on a tie-breaker over No. 4 Novi – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
5. BOYS LACROSSE No. 6 Midland/Dow defeated No. 7 Traverse City United 15-8 to claim a Division 1 Regional title – Midland Daily News
6. BOYS LACROSSE A last-minute goal sent No. 5 Grand Rapids Catholic Central past Ada Forest Hills Eastern 13-12 in a Division 2 Regional Final – FOX 17
7. SOFTBALL Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart swept Breckenridge to clinch its first Mid-State Activities Conference title since 2013 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
8. BASEBALL Division 4 No. 12 Breckenridge swept Sacred Heart in a matchup of first-place teams to claim a third-straight MSAC title – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
9. GIRLS SOCCER Petoskey advanced in a Division 2 District Semifinal with a 2-1 win over No. 15 Gaylord – Up North Live
10. GIRLS SOCCER Parma Western came back and defeated Jackson Northwest in overtime 2-1 in a Division 2 District Semifinal – Jackson Citizen Patriot
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.)