Today in the MHSAA: 8/30/18
August 30, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.
1. Cross Country: The Battle Creek Harper Creek girls won their first All-City title in 18 years; Battle Creek Lakeview won the boys championship – Battle Creek Enquirer
2. Girls Golf: Northville won its fifth tournament of August, this time shooting a 333 to claim the Saline Invitational championship – Observer & Eccentric
3. Cross Country: Charlevoix swept the girls and boys championship at the East Jordan Invitational, both scoring 38 points – Traverse City Record-Eagle
4. Girls Golf: Bloomfield Hills Marian shot a 331 to win the Oakland County Division 2 championship by 13 strokes – Oakland Press
5. Boys Soccer: Midland Dow edge Traverse City Central 1-0 to remain undefeated with seven shutouts this fall – Midland Daily News
6. Volleyball: Division 1 top-ranked Lake Orion swept Bloomfield Hills to finish 6-0 for the day and win the Romeo Invitational – Oakland Press
7. Girls Swimming & Diving: Reigning Lower Peninsula Division 2 champion East Grand Rapids earned an impressive 118-68 victory over Grand Haven – Grand Haven Tribune
8. Girls Golf: Coldwater emerged from a three-team tie thanks to its fifth scorer to win the second Interstate 8 Athletic Conference jamboree – Coldwater Daily Reporter
9. Boys Soccer: Petoskey continued its tough early run but with its first victory, 2-1 over Midland – Petoskey News Review
10. Boys Soccer: Hartland edged Northville 4-3 on a goal with seven minutes to play – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
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.)