Today in the MHSAA: 9/8/16
September 8, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Rain couldn’t wash out a number of Lower Peninsula cross country invitationals and the continued climb by the new runners to chase in Battle Creek.
Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state.
Cross Country
Battle Creek Lakeview’s Maggie Farrell continued an impressive ascension in winning the All-City race ahead of 2014 MHSAA LP Division 4 champ Ava Strenge of St. Philip; Harper Creek's Tommy Shaw won the boys race to lead his team to its first all-city title since 2010 – Battle Creek Enquirer
Sanford Meridian swept the girls and boys races at its invitational, the girls followed by Bullock Creek and the boys by Beaverton – Midland Daily News
Shepherd also swept both races at its home invitational, run on a new course – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
Boys Soccer
Still-undefeated Melvindale downed previously-undefeated Allen Park 2-1 as all three goals came on penalty kicks – Southgate News-Herald
Niles remained undefeated with a 2-2 tie against Division 2 No. 20 Richland Gull Lake – Niles Daily Star
Volleyball
Class C No. 2 Bronson held off multiple early rallies to down White Pigeon in three sets – Coldwater Daily Reporter
In its first match in nearly two weeks, Cadillac opened Big North Conference play with a sweep of Traverse City West – Cadillac News
Sault Ste. Marie came back from two sets down to defeat Newberry 3-2 in Straits Area Conference play Tuesday – Sault Ste. Marie Evening 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.)