posted Dec 11th, 2024 - It was coincidence that Arizona Airspeed and SDC Rhythm XP both had changes in their lineups recently and roughly at the same time. The NSL News pointed out a few days ago that they came in very different ways though.

SDC Rhythm XP had not planned any changes, especially as the longest and most consistent Rhythm member, Doug Barron, knows that the continuity of a lineup is a very important component in the makings of a world class team. Going into his 10th year, he has now spent the longest time in the Rhythm lineups since 2007, behind the team founders JaNette and Steve Lefkowitz.

The unexpected change in the lineup shortly before the USPA National Championship 2024 had a serious impact for Rhythm, as the same story explained. The 4th place in 4-way Open at the USPA Nationals was the first time since 2011 that Rhythm would not bring a USPA medal back to Skydive Chicago, their home dropzone. However, the three returning team members (Doug Barron, Chris Webb, Steve Loufek) said during yesterday's new NSL Live Talk that the current situation after the emergency situation a few weeks before the most important competition of the year seems to have a great final result. New team member Greg Oldendick was able to help finishing only a point short of the 20-average benchmark. Even with little training of the new lineup SDC Rhythm XP were able to keep up with Golden Knights and XPG4 in several rounds.

SDC Rhythm XP lineups between 2007 and 2025

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SDC Rhythm XP did not have much time for a tryout, which is the way how competitive teams usually select their new team members. Doug Barron, Chris Webb, Steve Loufek and team videographer Charlie Mcgee were glad that Greg Oldendick was available and willing to step in quickly. He said that the 100 training jumps before the USPA Nationals was practically more than enough for a tryout.

Greg Oldendick is now making the same transition from a "semi-professional" status as a 4-way competitor with Skydive Midwest NEXT to the full-time commitment with SDC Rhythm XP as Doug Barron did in 2015, Chris Webb in 2021, Steve Loufek in 2022. The conversation with all four Rhythm members covered this life-changing transition and the experiences with a new and very unusual professional career.

Doug Barron, Chris Webb and Steve Loufek made clear that they would not change a thing after making the move, and Rhythm videographer Charlie Mcgee would probably copy the statement. SDC Rhythm XP is currently in the middle of an indoor training camp at Paraclete XP. They imported coach Solly Williams from DeLand, Florida, for several days. The 4-way world champion of 2004 remembered his own transition from an ordinary life situation into becoming a full-time competitor and shared some of his memories.

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NSL Live Talk with SDC Rhythm XP and Solly Williams on 10 December 2024

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USPA Nationals 2003		1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10		Total	Avg
Rank	4-way Open	8,A,Q,F		15,3,G		4,N,22		J,7,B,H		O,13,17		16,K,1		21,D,L,14		6,5,2		12,P,11		10,19,18		Total	Avg
1	DeLand Majik	26		19		17		32		23		20		21		19		19		17		213	21.3
2	Golden Knights Gold	26		18		19	-2	32		23		21		19		17	-2	19		17		211	21.1
3	Airspeed Vertical	27		18		17	-2	34		18	-5	19		21		19		18		19		210	21.0
4	Airspeed Dragon	19	-2	15		17		30		20		14	-2	18		17		15		14		179	17.9
5	Golden Knights Black	20		15		16		27		15	-2	17		17		16		16		14		173	17.3
6	Perris School Boys	21		15		14		25		18		13	-2	16		14		12		12		160	16.0
7	DeLand Synchronicity	18		15		14		23		15	-2	14		15		15		14		12		155	15.5
8	The Ranch Team	17		14		13	-1	22		15		16		12		14		13		12		148	14.8
9	Teiwaz	17		13		13		17	-2	15		14		15		13		11		11		139	13.9
10	DeLand Chikara	16		12		11		19		14		12		13		13		13		9	-2	132	13.2
11	Optik Kurves	16		11		11		22		12		12		14		10		11		9		128	12.8
12	Elsinore Illusion	16		6	-4	12		22		14		9	-2	14		13		12		9	-2	127	12.7
13	4 Something	14		9		9		16		7	-2	9		11		8	-3	9		9		101	10.1
14	Wingspan	11		10		7	-2	14		9	-2	10		9		7	-2	7	-2	8		92	9.2
15	Guy Chuck JP Billy Mike	7	-4	7		8		9	-2	8	-1	4	-2	0		7	-1	3	-1	6	-1	59	5.9

It usually has a special meaning when the top teams in the world hire a coach, as they work by themselves most of the time. Solly Williams is one of the most wanted coaches, together with his former world champion team mate Gary Smith. The investments by the teams into coaching usually happen at a special time, and the upcoming 2025 season could become a very interesting one.

It seems like three teams (XPG4, Golden Knights, SDC Rhythm XP) could be in a position to challenge Arizona Airspeed for the status as the U.S. national team for the next outdoor world championship in 2026. SDC Rhythm XP has been in training with the current lineup since Greg Oldendick's first 100 jumps with the team and after their first competition together.

Doug Barron has already accomplished his first "Mission Impossible" when Rhythm's 2019 lineup outscored Arizona Airspeed in a jump-off round at the USPA Nationalsand represented the U.S. delegation at the Tanay Mondial 2020. Solly Williams also recalled USPA Nationals where his own team, DeLand Majik, had to fend off more than only one serious opponent. DeLand Majik, Golden Knights and Airspeed Vertical were separated by three points (213 - 211 - 210) at the end of the USPA Nationals 2003, where he and Gary Smith qualified for the world championship in the following year. The situation could be similar next year at the USPA Nationals.