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But, regardless of what it means to different people, spring break eventually must come to an end.

Whether on the date scheduled or not, the 2008 spring sports season is going to start and various scenarios will be played out.

For some, it'll end in the state finals ... be it baseball, softball, golf, soccer or track ... while others won't be able to bask in the afterglow of such a tremendous finish.

Kalkaska's boys track team opens the new season with one of its best athletes now running track in college.

Paul Grieve was the Blazers' distance specialist, and he capped his incredible high school career by winning regional titles in two different events last season.

He also was the Lake Michigan Conference champion in the 3200-meter run, barely beating out his opponent from Grayling in a time of 9 minutes and 55.73 seconds.

It would be foolhardy to believe the Blazers won't miss Grieve's presence in the distance events.

The Blazers could just write his name in the space reserved for the first place finisher, and that isn't something to be overlooked.

But all the same, Kalkaska has to move on with Grieve now competing in college and only a memory for the Blazers.

Michael Cleggett also qualified for the state meet a year ago, and he was a league champion in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.27 seconds.

Kalkaska also took first place at the league meet in the 800-meter relay with Marc Wallace, Cleggett, Joshua Wakefield and Joe Paladino turning in a time of 1:35.16.

Jesse Moggo, Dylan Rosenthal, Alex Swoverland and Paladino were second in the 3200-meter relay in 8:31.89.

Points also came from Nick Higgins, who had a third place in the shot put with a throw of 46 feet and 7 1/2 inches, while Wakefield had a fifth place in the long jump with a leap of 18 feet and 5 1/4 inches.

Moggo finished third in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:06.14, and Wallace took third in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.55 seconds.

It was good enough to give the Blazers third place at the league meet, and with continued improvement from the younger competitors a chance to be among the top three again this spring.

The Blazers hope that some of the younger competitors can step up and pick up some key points with thirds, fourths and fifths.

Katherine Robinson highlighted the Blazer girls performance at the league meet, finishing third in the discus with a throw of 102 feet and 7 1/2 inches.

She was also third in the shot put, uncorking a toss of 30 feet and 1/2 inch.

Amanda Cronin finished sixth in the long jump with a leap of 13 feet and 11 3/4 inches.

Kelsey Peel was another contributor with a sixth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 28.82 seconds.

It all comes down to how the returners do, and how far the young kids come along, and how fast.