New York, NY - The American Kennel Club announced that a Border Collie from Mt. Gilead, OH has been named the AKC Top Master Agility Champion (MACH) Dog of 2002 based on combined points for completing the agility course with the fastest speed, and without errors. MACH 5 Lukan's Mister Big Stuff, known by his call name "Awesome," truly lives up to his name and is owned, trained, and handled by Linda Mecklenberg.

Agility events allow dogs to demonstrate their agile nature and versatility by racing against the clock and overcoming a challenging course of different obstacles. Success requires proper training, as it is a game of physical skill, control, patience and - most importantly - teamwork between handler and dog. There are five different height categories, so dogs compete according to size.

Double Qualifying points (Double Q) indicate perfect completion of both a Standard Agility course and a Jumper with Weaves Agility course on the same day at the same show. Awesome had 35 Double Q points. The speed points are earned by each second the dog and handler complete the required course in less than the expected time -- Awesome had 2,945 such points. The Border Collie finished with a combined total of 3,295 points, while his closest competitor earned 3,092 points.

"It is no surprise that Linda and Awesome have achieved this honor, they are a team that have worked very hard to earn this top title and more than deserve it," said Sharon Anderson, AKC Agility Director.

Awesome has also competed on the AKC/US World Agility Team, representing The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United States at the World Agility Championship.