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Spring Lake SALT (Student-Athlete Leadership Team) Learns at Summit

Spring Lake SALT (Student-Athlete Leadership Team) Learns at Summit

Spring Lake student-athletes recently participated in the OK Black Leadership Summit, an event designed to foster leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship among conference schools. Hosted only for teams in the conference, the summit provided a unique opportunity for student-athletes to engage in meaningful discussions with both peers and athletic directors.

Students heard from MHSAA Executive Director Mike Uyl, who outlined key qualities of effective leadership and what it means to be a great teammate. They also took part in group discussions with athletes from opposing schools, covering topics such as handling difficult teammates, working with coaches, and overcoming challenges in high school sports.

One major takeaway for students was the realization that many of their struggles are shared across schools. "By speaking with people from opposing teams, I learned that a lot of the struggles we face aren’t just us," said senior, Nia Theune. "This allowed for a sense of comfort and connection with people we intensely compete against."

Later in the day, students met with referees to discuss the role of officiating in high school sports. Officials shared their experiences, the challenges they face, and encouraged students to consider becoming referees in the future.

Overall, the summit was a powerful experience. "Just being able to be around the leaders in our conference and collaborate to be the change was amazing," shared senior, Gabe Trask. Spring Lake students left the event feeling inspired, informed, and ready to lead both on and off the field.