LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — When competitors fill out an entry form for the Great Outdoor Games, they are asked a series of questions designed to give organizers and production personnel insight into their background and credentials.

Take Carol Young's golden retriever, Blaster. Under the heading of "Dog Info," Blaster comes with an impressive list of doggie credentials, including the AKC titles of Agility Excellent Jumpers, Open Agility, Companion Dog and Junior Hunter.

	“	Every dog loves to run, play and jump, even a backyard dog. ”
		— Sheila McKinnis, event organizer

There is no such pretense for Tank, a yellow Labrador who recently finished second in the Big Air event of the Sporting Dog Challenge, a qualifying event for the Games held recently in Little Rock, Ark. When Danny Crews, Tank's owner, filled out the entry form and came to "Dog Info," Crews, of North Little Rock, Ark., wrote "He's just a backyard dog."

The description is several steps above the classification of junkyard dog, but Crews and Tank exemplify exactly what the organizers of the Sporting Dog Challenge were hoping for when they included an Open classification for qualifying in the Big Air event.

"Every dog loves to run, play and jump," said Sheila McKinnis, organizer of the event, "even a backyard dog."

"Tank is a wonderful example of that," she said. "He's an athlete that can compete on a national scale, and now he has a chance. We've taken him out of the backyard and into the spotlight.'"

Because of that, Tank is sure to be a sentimental favorite in the 2001 Great Outdoor Games in Lake Placid. Dog owners will be able to relate to a pet accustomed to chasing a tennis ball and loving it.

"When I saw (the Great Outdoor Games) on TV last year, I said, 'That's Tank's event. I've got to get him in it,'" Crews said. "And when I heard about this being held nearby in Little Rock, we came on down."

Crews knew Tank could excel in the event by watching his enthusiasm for jumping while the two played.

"He's always loved jumping off docks into the water," Crews said. "I take him boating with me and I'll throw a tennis ball in the water and he just sails through the air wanting to retrieve it."

Crews acquired Tank from a friend about five years ago.

"They had a baby and Tank was too big for him to be around. Plus, he didn't have time to play with a puppy," Crews said. "He asked if I wanted (Tank); he knew I'd give him the attention he needed.

"When I played with him, I was amazed at how far he could jump."

Spectators in the Sporting Dog Challenge also were in awe. Although Tank finished second to Michael Martin's A.J., the yellow Labrador was the hometown favorite and clearly the biggest dog in the competition.

"He weighs in at more than 85 pounds, and he's got this big block chest," Crews said. "He's built for power. He would be more at home as a linebacker than a long jumper. And right now he's a little out of shape."

Crews plans to change that, though. In the coming months, Tank will be coming out of the backyard more, training for the Great Outdoor Games.

"I run everyday, and he will be running with me," Crews said. "And I plan on getting him to swim more. Give me a month and he'll be in shape."