Today in the MHSAA: 6/6/19
June 6, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The Girls and Boys Lacrosse Finals pairings are set after eight Semifinals on Thursday, with a number of close finishes and the ascension of a new contender in that sport, plus a few surprises from Regional Semifinals on the baseball diamond.
1. Boys Lacrosse: No. 3 Ada Forest Hills Eastern earned its first championship game berth in this sport with a 9-6 win over No. 2 East Grand Rapids – FOX 17
2. Girls Lacrosse: No. 4 Brighton earned a return to the Division 1 championship game with a 12-10 Semifinal win over No. 3 Hartland – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
3. Boys Lacrosse: No. 2 Detroit Catholic Central will play for another title after getting past No. 6 Lake Orion 14-13 in overtime – Oakland Press
4. Girls Lacrosse: No. 2 Bloomfield Hills Marian also won a close Semifinal, downing No. 4 Okemos 15-13 in Division 2 – Detroit News
5. Baseball: Grand Rapids Catholic Central scored on a walk-off single to edge No. 4 Holland Christian and Miami Marlins draft pick Chris Mokma in a Division 2 Regional Semifinal – FOX 17
6. Baseball: No. 14 Three Oaks River Valley upended No. 2 Muskegon Catholic Central 4-3 to move on in Division 4 – Muskegon Chronicle
7. Baseball: No. 17 Fowlerville moved on to a Division 2 Regional Final with a 2-1 win over No. 12 Tecumseh and Texas Rangers draft selection Cameron Wagoner – Lansing State Journal
8. Lacrosse: The Rockford and East Grand Rapids girls (Nos. 1 in Division 1 and 2, respectively) and Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central and Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice boys (Nos. 1 in Division 2 and Division 1) also won Semifinals – Grand Rapids Press
9. Baseball: A fifth-inning run pushed Boyne City past No. 14 Traverse City St. Francis 1-0 in a Division 3 Regional Semifinal – Petoskey News-Review
10. Baseball: Jake Riggs had 15 strikeouts and a grand slam to lead No. 6 Brethren past Fowler in Division 4 – Manistee News Advocate
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.)