Today in the MHSAA: 8/31/20
September 1, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
One of the state’s major cross country invitationals was run as is tradition Saturday, and yet in an entirely new way to highlight a full weekend of high school events across the state.
1. Cross Country: The annual Benzie Central Pete Moss Invitational was split into more races this fall because of COVID-19 restrictions, with Traverse City Central junior Julia Flynn and Benzie sophomore Hunter Jones the fastest overall on the course – Athletic.net/Up North Live
2. Cross Country: Ishpeming’s Lola Korpi and Marquette’s Carson VanderSchaaf led the way at the Marquette Early Bird Meet – Marquette Mining Journal
3. Boys Tennis: Hudsonville earned 7-1 wins over Traverse City Central and Traverse City West; Central is ranked No. 10 in Lower Peninsula Division 2 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
4. Boys Tennis: LPD4 No. 3 Traverse City St. Francis won a strong quad also featuring No. 8 Whitehall, Maple City Glen Lake and No. 10 Ludington – Ludington Daily News
5. Cross Country: Fowlerville’s boys claimed a one-point win at the Laingsburg Early Bird Invitational, while Marshall’s girls won their race by a comfortable margin – Livingston Daily
6. Volleyball: Cadillac finished 6-0 during a pair of quads, defeating Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, Leland, Onaway, Morley Stanwood, Howard City Tri County and McBain – MI Sports Now
7. Volleyball: Charlevoix defeated Pickford and Bellaire to remain undefeated – Petoskey News-Review
8. Boys Soccer: Alpena combined to outscore three opponents 18-0 in finishing first at its Sunrise Side Challenge Cup – WBKB
9. Boys Tennis: Jackson Northwest finished first at the Coldwater Invitational – Coldwater Daily Reporter
10. Volleyball: Bronson traveled north and earned a win over Leland between losses to Traverse City West and Petoskey – Coldwater Daily Reporter
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.)