posted Jul 8th, 2012 - The first scores of a weekend with multiple events arrived from Chicagoland Skydiving where the teams of the Midwest Skydiving League came together for the second meet of the year. MWSL Director Alan Butt reported that this weekend's competition was part of Chicagoland Skydiving’s official Grand Opening day on Saturday in Rochelle, IL.

It took place during a record heat wave in the Chicago area with a high temperature of 101 that holds the unofficial record for the hottest MWSL meet ever. However, Alan Butt said that the weather was eminently jumpable with sunny skies and a light western breeze, and five teams showed up:

"We had five teams participating despite the scorching forecast, including the SDC Furies XP and CSC Angry Birds making their 2012 MWSL debuts." The Furies had also competed at Skydive Chicago's Midway Battle in June and now joined the other MWSL teams at Chicagoland Skydiving.

MWSL - July 7th, 2012		Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Round 4	Round 5	Round 6	Total	Avg
Rank	AAA Class	12,20,5	L,H,G,14	10,O,17	22,F,8	9,J,Q,C	13,A,6	Total	Avg
1	SDC Furies XP (US)	12	17	14	14	22	13	92	15.3
Rank	AA Class	20,C,1	L,H,G,14	O,N,2	22,F,8	9,J,Q	13,A,6	Total	Avg
1	Hawks (US)	9	8	11	9	7	6	50	8.3
Rank	A Class	C,Q,19	L,H,G	O,N,2	F,8	9,J	A,6	Total	Avg
1	Angry Birds (US)	5	8	7	6	7	5	38	6.3
Rank	Rookie	C,Q,B	L,H,G	O,N,E	F,M,D	J,P,C	A,K,L	Total	Avg
1	Joined at the Grip (US)	5	6	4	8	7	6	36	6.0
2	ReRivals (US)	3	2	3	4	2	3	17	2.8

Alan Butt pointed out that this competition marked the Furies’ 10th consecutive season participating in the MWSL: "They have done so with relatively few roster changes, and the current lineup includes Tail Shannon Sweet who has been a Fury member since 2005."

Former Arizona Airspeed member Chad Smith filled Fury's open Center Outside slot yesterday after Andy Delk was competing in the same slot at the Midway Battle. The Furies with Andy Delk (16.1) won over the Furies with Chad Smith (15.3) at the MWSL meet. However, yesterday's scores were less than a point shy of the new team record average last month.

Alan Butt said that the Fury members also served as the meet coaches for the other teams.

The Rookie Class had the only local race between the ReRivals and Joined at the Grip, a pickup team from Skydive Chicago. Alan Butt gave the the Rookie Class competition special attention:

"While the ReRivals flew a very consistent meet, JATG built up a 6-point lead after two rounds and never looked back. JATG’s 6.0 average was remarkable for a Rookie Class pickup team and in fact earned them SDC Rhythm XP’s Coaches’ Choice Award as selected by the Furies. They also won the meet prize of a set of NSL Gloves for all team members. It was a very memorable competitive debut for JATG."

As the SDC Furies XP in the AAA Class, the Hawks are now waiting for the AA Class scores from other events. They had no direct opposition this time, as a schedule conflict kept Peregrine away. The 8.3 average earned the $100 tunnel time value for the Paraclete XP Challenge, which is awarded to the team with the most improved score compared to the previous meet.

The same counts for A Class team CSC Angry Birds who were by themselves at Chicagoland Skydiving. Alan Butt said that this is the most jinxed team: "Two regulars (Amy Romig, Brian Altman) are out with skydiving related injuries. Their slots were filled by Betsy Hoats and Timmy Hunkler, who had made only one practice jump with their new team prior to the meet. The Birds scored a solid 6.3 average despite the lack of training time and, more important, completed all six rounds safely..."

He said that it was a fun meet despite the tough conditions: "Lisa Dexter and the CSC staff ran one of the smoothest meets in MWSL history. This turned out to be a good thing beyond simply allowing the competitors to get relief from the heat, as a cool front moved in minutes after the last team landed from Round 6 and put the DZ on a weather hold due to clouds and rain."

"I also want to mention the beautiful new facilities at the dropzone. Doug and his staff have done a fantastic job building a world class facility in Rochelle. The new DZ includes a large bar&grill/banquet room (under construction), classrooms, large debriefing room, numerous TV monitors, showers, laundry, a huge hangar, trailer facilities, volleyball court, and more. And since our next meet is back here on August 11 it will be a great opportunity to come see for yourselves."