Today in the MHSAA: 8/29/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 29, 2022
1. CROSS COUNTRY Benzie Central’s Hunter Jones and Hart’s Jessica Jazwinski, both Grand Rapids Christian teams, the Traverse City St. Francis girls and Hart boys were among high achievers at the Pete Moss Invitational – Traverse City Record-Eagle | Athletic.net
2. BOYS TENNIS Midland Dow, No. 2 in Lower Peninsula Division 2, continued to impress with wins over No. 3 Birmingham Groves and No. 4 Seaholm and a tie with top-ranked Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern – Midland Daily News
3. VOLLEYBALL Muskegon Mona Shores won its third-straight Battle of the Boardwalk sweeping Grand Haven, Fruitport and Spring Lake – Local Sports Journal
4. VOLLEYBALL Johannesburg-Lewiston has yet to lose a set this season after adding six more match wins at its invitational – Petoskey News-Review
5. GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING LPD3 No. 4 Milan placed first in every event of the Riverview Rock-N-Relays – Monroe News
6. CROSS COUNTRY The Onsted girls and Erie Mason boys won Lenawee County Preview Meet championships, Onsted led by a record-setting run – Adrian Daily Telegram
7. BOYS TENNIS Bay City Western was first and LPD4 No. 3 Big Rapids second at the Portland Quad – Big Rapids Pioneer
8. CROSS COUNTRY Walled Lake Northern swept Howell Highlander Invitational titles – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
9. CROSS COUNTRY The Union City girls and Bronson boys won Colon Magi Kickoff championships – Sturgis Journal
10. BOYS SOCCER Leland bounced back from its first loss to defeat Muskegon Western Michigan Christian – Traverse City Record-Eagle
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.)