Another winter has come and gone and the weather looks like it’s finally starting to warm up in Northeast Michigan.

For local track and field athletes, the cold start to the spring season has made things uncomfortable for the first several meets of the year, but the warmer weather should allow them to hit their stride in the final few weeks before regionals.

Now that May is here, it means we’re not too far away from the annual Alpena News Track and Field Honor Roll Invitational, which will be held for the 13th consecutive time this year.

The meet will take place at 4 p.m. on May 31 at Alcona High School.

The Honor Roll Invite brings together the best track and field athletes from around the area in an afternoon of exciting competition. For many of the competitors it provides a tune-up before they head to the state finals.

The invite is never lacking in excitement and it’s always a thrill to watch the area’s best athletes compete against one another. Last year Alpena’s Mitchell Day and Jenna Talbot were named the Male and Female Athletes of the Meet and it will be exciting to see who the next stars of the meet are.

Starting today, I’ll be running a list of the top 12 athletes in every event until just a few days before the meet. Those who are listed among the top 12 at the end of the season will be eligible to compete at the meet.

If there are any questions from athletes, coaches or parents, feel free to contact me at 358-5694. Times are always changing, especially early in the season as the weather changes, so if there are any times or distances that need updating, let me know.

Good luck to all area track teams this season. We at The News look forward to seeing you at the end of the month.