posted Dec 13th, 2024 - The recent NSL Live Talk with the complete SDC Rhythm XP lineup and coach Solly Williams ended with a surprise, which requires a follow-up story. The discussion of the team history concluded with the slots, which the NSL News has documented since the team project was launched in 2007.

Doug Barron joined Rhythm in 2016 and started in the tail slot, where he staid until after the FAI Tanay Mondial 2020 in August 2021. The center slots were taken by JaNette (outside) and Steve Lefkowitz (inside). The new Rhythm members, Andrew Happick and Doug Barron, took the open positions.

Doug Barron had been outside center for his and Andrew Happick's first team, VTSD/Carolina Turbo XP. The tail slot was new to him, while Andrew Happick has always been in the point slot.

It worked out well for him and Rhythm, as he was still in the tail slot when the 2019 lineup won the USPA Nationals and then the FAI silver medals at the outdoor world championship in Tanay 2021. The surprise was the fact that the Rhythm slots have changed again after 2021.

SDC Rhythm XP slot scramble after the USPA Nationals 2024

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Doug Barron gave up the tail slot when he rebuilt the team for the next generation of SDC Rhythm XP. Chris Webb became the new tail, and Doug Barron went back to his original outside center slot that he had for six years with his first team. Keith Connor was the new inside center, Carl Kallgren the new point, a year later Steve Loufek.

Doug Barron, Chris Webb and Steve Loufek had the same slots in 2023 and 2024 and did not change when Greg Oldendick replaced Keith Connor. The newest Rhythm member had to step into the slot that Keith Connor left open.

Greg Oldendick came to SDC Rhythm XP as an outside center and then had to switch to the other center slot. He had 100 jumps to become familiar with the inside center work in the rear piece.

The 100-jump tryout was successful, as the returning four Rhythm members, including team videographer Charlie Mcgee, asked Greg Oldendick to continue with the team after the USPA National Championship 2024. However, the new Rhythm lineup re-considered the slot assignments when the training resumed, and the surprising slot scramble came to light during the NSL Live Talk.

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

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The new SDC Rhythm XP lineup began experimental training after the USPA Nationals and under observation of coach Solly Williams. Together they came to the conclusion that the current team members might fit even better together in different slots.

Eventually, only the Rhythm senior Doug Barron ended up in the same slot that he has performed in since the conclusion of the FAI Tanay Mondial 2020. He continues as the team's outside center. However, he has a new piece partner. Greg Oldendick has given up his inside center position and becomes the new Rhythm point.

Greg Oldendick has now moved from outside center with Skydive Midwest NEXT to inside center with SDC Rhythm XP for 100 jumps and the USPA Nationals, and he switches to point from here on forward. Chris Webb has at least trained in the rear piece for his three years with SDC Rhythm XP, even though it was in the tail slot.

The team and coach Solly Williams now think that he will be even better as the inside center. Last and not least, Steve Loufek switches from point to tail, which is a totally new experience in the other piece. Rhythm training with the new lineup and the new slots is in full swing, and the first results will be on the leaderboards very soon.