posted Jun 18th, 2010 - The next multi-event weekend is coming up, with teams competing at seven different locations. Two teams from the Midwest Skydiving League have the rare opportunity to compete two weeks in a row at the same DZ. SDC Rhythm XP and SDC Furies both competed at the weather plagued inaugural Midway Battle last weekend, together with three other AAA Class teams.

Several other teams of the Midwest Skydiving League will now launch their 2010 season at the Midwest Skydiving League 2010 season opener, once again hosted by Skydive Chicago. MWSL Director Alan Butt provided the NSL News with a preview of the teams that are expected to attend the meet this weekend.

Just4Fun

Like the Furies, Just4Fun is also back for an MWSL record eighth straight season. The team from Wisconsin has the same roster as in 2009 (Brian Ladow, John Lindstrom, Sandy Theide, Chris Whittet, with Greg Shields on camera). However, Just4Fun found a special way to introduce some twists into their line-up, as team memberJohn Lindstrom described:

"Just4fuN is back for 2010! This will be our 8th year doing our version of competing. For us, the meets are all about jumping with our friends and visiting with others that we only see at meets. We look forward to our self-induced challenge of each of us switching positions.

This season our Inside Center will be Chris Whittet, Outside Center will be Brian LaDow, Tail will be Sandy Theide, and Point will be John Lindstrom. We thought about also switching with our vidiot Greg Shields but he rightly told us that we would be mighty embarrassed if he showed us up with his mad 4-way skills."

SDC Flying Fish

SDC Flying Fish is also back for 2010 season. The Fish's competed originally as the Flying J's in 2008. This year's roster is the same as in 2009 (Jesse Townsend – Point, James Lovaas – Center Outside, Jeff Carpenter – Tail, Tony Dommer – Center Inside, Chris Goller on camera). Flying Fish will be stepping up from the Rookie Class to the A or AA Class this year. Team member James Lovaas provided more insights:

"The Flying Fish are looking forward to their second season in the MWSL. After completing a mid-winter training camp at Skydive Sebastian and a tunnel camp at Paraclete, we're excited to get back to Skydive Chicago for the 2010 season.

We'll be training 2-3 weekends per month in preparation for all the MWSL meets and of course the USPA Nationals. We'll also be hosting 4-way scrambles in April and October and the annual SDC New Wave Boogie - an event focusing on jumpers with less than 300 jumps. For more info visit www.sdcFlyingFish.com."

Jetstream Tango

Jetstream Tango is back for the 2010 season with former Rhythm videographer Kevin Naftzger on camera. The Rookie Class team of 2009 moves up into the A Class this year and will probably step up into the AA Class later in the season.

Tango told MWSL Director Alan Butt that the team is ready "to blow into the 2010 skydiving season". Eric Bambach is the Center Outside, Kati Matyda flies the Point slot, Megan Rusek is the Tail, and Ellen Steckbar has the Center Inside engine slot. Kevin Naftzger on camera and alternate Bob Moore complete the lineup.

The Tango members expect this year to become the best one to date. Tango will compete at the MWSL meets and at the USPA Nationals 2010.

Arch Rivals

The Arch Rivals from the Archway Skydiving Center are a new team from the St. Louis area and will be competing in the MWSL Rookie Class of 2010. Team members are Kork Doll (Center Outside), Michelle Kerns (Center Inside), Michael Gamble (Tail), Bredina Haden (Point), with Michael Murphy on camera.

Bredina Haden shared with Alan Butt that the team goal is to "learn, learn, learn and have a ton of fun doing it". She added that the new team is very excited to get the season started:

"We are planning to compete at all MWSL meets this season and are extremely excited about it!!! We are entering as a Rookie Class team with plans to move to the A Class after a few meets, as we are planning to compete at the USPA Nationals this year."

SDC Hawks

SDC Rhythm XP member Steve Lefkowitz is also the player coach for another new Rookie Class team, the SDC Hawks. The lineup consists of Stephanie Erickson (Point), Michael Sepcot (Center Inside), Reza Biazaran (Tail), Steve Lefkowitz (Center Outside), with Larry Miyasaka on camera.

The Hawks is the first serious team project for Stephanie Erickson, Michael Sepcot and Reza Biazaran. The project focuses on the fundamentals of Formation Skydiving along with laying a solid foundation for being part of a successful skydiving team.

Steve Lefkowitz reported that the Hawks had one windtunnel camp and one outdoor camp. Three more camps will follow throughout the summer. He said that the team has already made impressive progress, with great jumps and a lot of fun. The Hawks plan to compete in one MWSL meet.