Off topic - can I brag just one more time?

[Mark Padgett]

As I posted recently, my granddaughter Lauren (8 years old) attended the highly regarded Nike soccer camp at Nike headquarters. It was by invitation only.

This Saturday, she had her first league game of the season. Her team won 8-3. Lauren had six of her team's goals. She had five in the first half, and scored only one in the second half because the coach moved her to defender. She still scored on a breakaway steal, even from there.

Her team is the "Mad Dogs". They have a stamp of a dog's paw they all stamp on their hands before each game.

Her younger brother Nick is 6 and played later that day. He scored his first goal ever, but had to sit down for a few minutes because he knocked a kid down. They don't issue cards at this level.

That's my boy.

Now, if I could only get them to go to basketball camp.

FYI - those of you in the Portland area - if Lauren doesn't move before HS, she'll wind up at Sunset. Yeah - like they need the help.