Today in the MHSAA: 9/1/15
September 1, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The decision to join the high school team by a possible MHSAA golf championship contender leads today’s notable headlines from around the state
Girls Golf
Brighton added standout freshman Annie Pietila this fall, and got another huge boost when junior Julia Dean decided this week to join the high school team; she tied the school record with a 68 on Monday – Livingston Daily
Boys Soccer
Muskegon Mona Shores remained undefeated at 4-0-1 with a 1-0 victory over reigning Division 3 champion Hudsonville Unity Christian – Muskegon Chronicle
Boys Tennis
Traverse City Central doubles player Parker Berden scored his 100th career win as he and partner Austin Wieland defeated No. 1 doubles pairs from Fenton, Grand Blanc and Saginaw Heritage at the Hawks' quad – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Flushing has started 9-0 this season after finishing a program-best eighth at the MHSAA Finals a year ago; it finished first at a three-team meet Monday at Davison – Flint Journal
Volleyball
From Saturday, Crystal Falls Forest Park won its third title in the eight-year history of the Great Eight Classic, going 14-0 against a group including five more Upper Peninsula and two Wisconsin schools – Iron Mountain Daily News
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.)