place - beginner division in the 1997 Fun Matches and Challenge.  The team has really improved this past year.  They enjoyed the 1998 Coppell Alpo Local where they won 1^st place in the advanced division.  Neil was also pleased with a tie for 4^th place in this year's regional in Division II.

Madeline's hardest hurdle was getting used to using multiple discs.  She was a one-disc dog, and this still shows in her love for the game of distance.  Neil and Madeline will kill everyone on the distance field 9 times out of 10.  This dog likes to go way out and bring back the long ones.  For this reason, this is still Neil's favorite part of the game as well. 

Neil's says he really enjoys the DDD club and that Madeline has even learned some from watching the other dogs.  Neil has also learned a lot and likes the way club members are always free to share advice with one another.  People are not so competitive that secrets are kept and ideas are not shared.  He feels lucky to be a part of a group that has so many talented and experienced members.  He especially had a blast at the 1997 State Fair.  That was a fun and unique experience, and he and Madeline look forward to their dates at this year's fair.

When not playing Frisbee or running a 5K, Neil is an attorney and partner in his own practice, Thomas & Sobol, in Dallas.  (Hey, this could come in handy should the club run into any legal/liability issues.)  That's not all.  He also teaches a Legal Writing/Research class at Ft. Worth's TWU - School of Law.  We need to talk to his supervisor at the school though.  They hold Faculty meetings some Saturday mornings and cause Neil to miss some playdays and competitions.  Can anyone say petition? Meetings on Saturday??  What are they thinking??  Neil also likes to play around on his computer and enjoys seeking dog stuff out on the Internet.

Everyone keep your eye out for Neil and Madeline this year and watch her as she - goes the distance for the long ones.  I know I will be watching and hopefully learning.  Hey - do you think Neil could do the MD portion of the contest for me?? 

Everyone take care and have a good time with the Fair and Good Luck at the Texas State Championship.  I think I will go read this article to my little girl now.  Anything that has the word - Madeline in it so many times will make a great story for her.  Although, she might get confused at "the chewing the Frisbee" part.