NORTHFIELD, Minn. — Little Morgan and Mike Jackson may have turned in their worst performance ever. But even at their worst, the duo are still leading the competition in the Big Air portion of the Super Retriever Series at Oak Ridge Kennels.

Little Morgan has competed in two major Big Air events in the last year, winning both of them. The first was at the ESPN Great Outdoor Games, where the black Labrador set a world record with a jump of 26 feet, 6 inches. The second was at the Super Retriever Series event in Stuttgart, Ark., where Little Morgan set the SRS record with a jump of 26 feet, 4 inches.

On Saturday, the long jumper did not come anywhere close to 26 feet. But a jump of 23 feet, 8 inches was more than enough to take the lead and make the 12-dog cut for the final round of competition on Sunday.

Joining the gold medallist and record holder is a short list of a who's who in Big Air competitions. They include Will Gutman and Daisy June the team that won the Super Retriever Series Big Air event in Missoula, Mont., last fall.

Like Jackson and Little Morgan, Gutman and Daisy June have already qualified for the Great Outdoor Games but are competing in this event strictly for the practice.

"We needed to get some jumps under our belt off a regulation dock," Gutman said. "It's a long drive, but it's worth it."

Daisy June posted the second longest jump of the day, 22 feet, 4 inches. In the final with them is 2002 ESPN Great Outdoor Games finalist Ms. Ruger, handled by Robin Braaten. The team finished fourth in the Great Outdoor Games, but posted the 11th best jump in Northfield, Minn., at 20 feet, 1 inch.

For the first time in Super Retriever Series history every dog in the final has surpassed the 20-feet barrier.

"I can remember just a couple of years ago when a 17-foot jump would make us ecstatic," said Melanie Field, organizer of the event. "It's like every sport as it matures and pushes its athletes."

If that's the case then this is the most mature field to ever compete in a Big Air event, and could serve up enough competition to stop Little Morgan's undefeated run.

The competition gets underway Sunday at 1 p.m. at Oak Ridge Kennels, with the top 12 dogs jumping twice. The four longest jumpers will advance to the final and after two jumps each a champion will be decided.

Qualifying standings
May 17, 2003

Place, Handler/Dog, Hometown, Longest jump

Mike Jackson/Little Morgan Shakopee, Minn. 23-8
Will Gutman/Daisy June Missoula, Mont. 22-4
Milt Wilcox/Sparky Huntington Woods, Mich. 22-2
Terry Casey/Skeeter Parker, Texas 21-11
Chad Kalstabakken/Sadie Rochester, Minn. 21-9
Zane Ward/Xena Prior Lake, Minn. 21-8
John Kline/Haley Bloomington, Minn. 21-7
Ken Butler/Storm Tulsa, Okla. 21-0
Brent Ohlson/Raider Lewellen, Neb. 20-6
Dan Aiman/Brody Arcadia, Ohio 20-6
Robin Braaten/Ms. Ruger Dulluth, Minn. 20-1
Mark Hayes Stuart/Hogan La Jolla, Calif. 20-1