On July 26-27 Crazy Train traveled to Biola University in California to participate in Surf City’s tournament, T.U.G. (The University Games). This was the last tournament of the 2024-2025 NAFA season.
Our Regular team, Bark at the Moon, had a very successful tournament. Sneakers was the lead dog, followed by Rudy in second, Kiwi in third, and Bugatti was the anchor dog. They predominantly ran clean and fast, winning first place in our division both days! This was exceptionally exciting as we secured our position as Region 6 Champions. Hurray, Bark at the Moon!! Green dogs, Mazie and Jack, got some warm up time to experience the tournament vibes.
Our Open team, Mama, I’m Coming Home, consisted of Quade as the lead dog, followed by Quill and two dogs borrowed from our Surf City hosts, Ushi and Gale. Gale has run with us part time at prior tournaments as she eases into her retirement years. Ushi was a first-timer with our team, and she fit right in!
Our green dogs, Jack, Atryx, and Dixie, also got some time in the lanes during warmups and even a few real heats. The big excitement of the weekend was Dixie making her debut and earning her very first NAFA flyball point! We had some rocky moments but managed to pull out a first place in our division on Sunday.
Let’s talk about Dixie’s handler, Tonnie, for a minute. Tonnie has been with the club for six years and this was her first time actually running a dog! Her perseverance in training and being an awesome teammate is legendary! We are so lucky to have such a dedicated teammate.
And, as if getting Dixie’s first flyball point wasn’t enough, we also got to celebrate Tonnie on Friday night as the upcoming week will be her official retirement from work! Welcome her to the world of leisure, everyone. Though we know she isn’t actually going to rest – she’s much too busy for that.
Surf City did a great job hosting the tournament. The logistics were great; the raffle was awesome (and we had 3 winners!); the judge, Steve Corona, was wonderful; and they were even able to offer lunch in the university cafeteria, which was a fun blast from the past for most of us whose college days are long gone.
As with every tournament, it could not be done without the help of the whole team! Mark and Jen, our fabulous box loaders; Shannon, Jett, Monica, and Tonnie tracking stats and calling passes; Emma, Cheri, Jill, Lalit, and Stacey helping as box assistant, Mark and Meagan coaching the teams; Jill, Lalit and Cheri shagging balls. And big kudos to everyone for such positive attitudes and being the biggest cheerleaders a team has ever had. We have the best team!
This tournament was especially poignant as it followed closely after the death of Ozzy Osbourne, whose song, Crazy Train, is the impetus for our team’s name. RIP, Ozzy.
