posted Oct 22nd, 2007 - The line-up of the new US national 8-way team, Knight Trax, has a new member. The combination of Team Fastrax Red (John Hart, Thomas Hughes, Doug Park), the Golden Knights (Matt Davidsen, Kurt Isenbarger, John Hoover, Brian Krause) and Solly Williams placed 2nd at the USPA Nationals 2007 and became the new US 8-way team when Arizona Airspeed decided not to compete at the World Championship of Formation Skydiving 2008 in France.

Former 4-way world champion with DeLand Majik, Solly Williams, had filled the open slot for Fastrax member Niklas Hemlin who decided not to compete in 8-way at the USPA Nationals 2007. When Knight Trax discussed the training plan for the 2008 season after the nomination as the US 8-way team for 2008, Solly Williams was not able to fully commit to the schedule. Knight Trax had to look for a new member and agreed on Golden Knight Sean Sweeney.

The NSL News had already introduced the youngest Golden Knight with the story on 2 January 2006 (Archives > 2005 > News). The Golden Knights had lost the USPA Nationals 2005 against DeLand Fire in a dramatic finish with a jump-off, and the 2005 line-up (Brooks Weiner, John Hoover, Brian Krause, Matt Davidsen) disbanded.

Brian "BK" Krause became the new team captain and formed the new line-up, together with his remaining teammate, Matt Davidsen. They selected Sean Sweeney and Angela Nichols for the new Golden Knights team, while John Hoover and Brooks Weiner served for the US Army in Afghanistan. The NSL News found profile information of Sean Sweeney at the Golden Knights website by then:

"Specialist Sean M. Sweeney is an Airborne Infantryman serving his second year as a demonstration parachutist on the Gold Demonstration Team. Sweeney enlisted into the Army in January 2003. Upon completion of his initial entry training he was assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 325th Parachute Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. In November 2003 Sweeney completed the Assessment and Selection Process for the Golden Knights and upon being ‘knighted’ he took a spot supporting the Gold Team. Since he first began skydiving in 2002 Sweeney has made more than 1,500 freefall parachute jumps. In addition to skydiving Sweeney also enjoys playing basketball and motor cross."

Sweeney's career as a 4-way competitor for the Golden Knights team came to a halt quite early. The NSL News story on 17 October 2006 provided a preview of the USPA Nationals 2006 from the perspective of the US Army team.

The situation had changed completely. The plans of the original 2006 line-up hadn't come to fruition, and the team had decided to bring veterans Eric Heinsheimer and Kurt Isenbarger back into action.

The 2006 line-up (Brian Krause, Matt Davidsen, Kurt Isenbarger, Eric Heinsheimer) had already competed at the CISM World Meet 2006 and won the gold medals in Russia. Angela Nichols was off the team, and Sean Sweeny remained as the official alternate. The new 2006 line-up finished in 5th place at the USPA Nationals 2006 with a 19.6 average.

The 2007 plans of the Golden Knights included Sean Sweeney once again only as the official alternate. Eric Heinsheimer, Kurt Isenbarger, Brian Krause and Matt Davidsen trained and competed for the US Army team. Larry Miller continued on camera.

The alternate came into competition action with this line-up for the first time when Eric Heinsheimer was injured in April this year. Sean Sweeney filled his slot at the April meet of the Carolina Skydiving League, as the NSL News reported on April 27.

It was still not Sweeney's time yet. He had to continue waiting patiently for his chance, even when Eric Heinsheimer had to step back for the remainder of the 2007 season due to the seriousness of the neck injury. The Golden Knights decided to bring back John Hoover into the 2007 line-up and fill Heinsheimer's slot, rather than giving the alternate a chance.

Sweeney was not even the official alternate when the Golden Knights competed at the USPA Nationals 2007. Eric Heinsheimer was on stand-by in Ottawa, while Sweeney competed with the pick-up "Team Twisted". The Golden Knights finished in 3rd place with a 23.0 average, and Team Twisted took the last place in the Open Class with an 11.6 average.

Sean Sweeney's patience and persistence now paid back for him when Knight Trax had to look for a new 8-way member. He was already the official alternate for Knight Trax at the USPA Nationals 2007. This time, the alternate made it straight into the active line-up when Solly Williams stepped back.

The Golden Knights members of the 8-way line-up were surely glad to offer Sweeney this great opportunity. He had proven often and long enough that he is patient and eager to get into full action at any time. Sweeney will now compete together with his former coaches and mentors, Brian Krause, Matt Davidsen, John Hoover and Kurt Isenbarger. The three Fastrax members John Hart, Doug Park and Thomas Hughes complete the Knight Trax line-up. Golden Knight Larry Miller is filming the team.