Champions of the Track: Lady Lakers Claim State Title Behind Subka’s Historic Run

The Spring Lake Girls Track and Field team saved their absolute best performance for the biggest stage of the season. Scoring a thrilling 42 points to edge out rival Holland Christian, the Lady Lakers officially captured the Division 2 State Championship trophy. It was a weekend defined by collective grit, blistering heat, and a historic individual masterclass that will be talked about in Laker lore for years to come.

At the center of this championship run was junior Macy Subka, who firmly established herself as one of the most decorated athletes ever to wear a Spring Lake uniform. Navigating a grueling four-event schedule, Subka ignited the team's momentum with an unexpected victory in the 100m hurdles, crossing the finish line in a blistering 14.65 seconds.

“Starting off with a win really set the tone, but I had to keep focus,” Subka recalled. “I didn't really give myself time to celebrate between events because it was always right on to the next.”

That hyper-focus proved to be contagious. Subka went on to capture a second individual state title in the 300m hurdles with a time of 42.84 seconds. But the ultimate team prize required one final showcase of unity. In the final event of the meet—the 4x400 meter relay—the quartet of Subka, Cora Parker, Kaleigh Clark, and Meghan Guczwa clocked a spectacular 3:55.25 to win the relay state title and officially clinch the team State Championship trophy.

The championship foundation was fortified by several other All-State performances throughout the weekend. Cora Parker showcased her elite endurance by taking 3rd place in the open 800m, while the 4x200 meter relay team—composed of Arnold, Parker, Subka, and Guczwa—secured a vital 3rd-place finish to keep the Lakers climbing up the leaderboard.

What makes Subka’s elite success even more remarkable is her status as a standout multi-sport utility athlete. On top of running track, she simultaneously balances swimming and soccer. She credits her time in the pool for her deep aerobic endurance and soccer for her raw physical conditioning. It is a balancing act that requires immense personal discipline; Subka can often be found practicing her hurdle technique completely alone before or after her scheduled soccer practices.

Behind the scenes, Subka attributes her meteoric rise to a dedicated support system, particularly her parents and track coach Adam Samp, who first introduced her to the hurdles back in middle school. “Being a dual-sport athlete in the spring, he takes extra time out of his day to work around my schedule just to get a couple more reps in,” she said.

Now, Subka enters her senior year transitioning from the role of the chasing underdog to the "hunted" champion. It is a shift she welcomes with a leveled head and high expectations for both herself and her teammates. While she was initially unaware of her permanent place in Spring Lake history, she is already hungry for more.

“There are still some goals I want to reach,” Subka said, aiming to shave fractions of a second off the school 100m hurdle record and the state meet 300m hurdle record. “But as a team, I think another state title is possible.”