posted Feb 16th, 2026 - The NSL News field trip to Paraclete XP earlier this month highlighted the coaching work of Gary Smith with NMP PCH HayaBusa and SDC Rhythm XP. However, the primary focus of the visit was the introduction of the new Paraclete XP8 lineup and the indoor training of the Golden Knights.

Coincidentally, the Sour Patch Kidz XP were training at the same time. Paraclete XP’s “Youth League” project supports the youngest generation of indoor flyers across all disciplines, including 4-way. In fact, the Sour Patch Kidz XP made their competition debut at the Paraclete XP Indoor Championship 2025. Two members of the current lineup — Ravenna Patterson and Sofia Diaz — teamed up with two experienced 4-way competitors, Vicki Harness and Josiah Ruperto, for the event.

The story of the Sour Patch Kidz XP began when Vicki Harness and Sofia’s mother discussed the possibility of entering the indoor championship. At the time, there were not enough juniors interested in forming a complete 4-way team, and Vicki volunteered to fill one of the two open slots. They then recruited Paraclete XP tunnel instructor Josiah Ruperto, who agreed to join the team for the competition, completing the lineup alongside juniors Sofia and Ravenna.

Paraclete XP Indoor Championship 2025		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Total	Avg
Rank	4-way Beginner	G,J,B	6,F	C,8	9,N	21,K	L,A,H	D,7	19,P	Q,M,E	2,4	Total	Avg
1	SDD Intravenous	27	17	13	22	15	28	19	13	33	11	198	19.8
2	Goldilocks and the three Bears	17	13	12	17	11	17	14	8	22	9	140	14.0
3	CT True Blue	14	14	11	17	9	14	15	6	21	4	125	12.5
4	Paracox Pairadocs	15	13	10	15	9	10	14	9	18	10	123	12.3
5	Sour Patch Kidz XP	14	13	8	14	10	8	14	10	15	9	115	11.5

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Sour Patch Kidz XP at the Paraclete XP Indoor Championship 2025

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Paraclete XP8 were training at the same time as the Sour Patch Kidz XP, who were practicing with their current coach, tunnel instructor Jaden Marron, in preparation for the upcoming national indoor championship this weekend. The team now features a complete 4-way junior lineup after Asher and Carys joined for regular training last year. Members of XP8 were already familiar with the junior 4-way team when asked about them.

Jeana Billings noted that the junior team members have also participated in Indoor Cloud League events over the past two years. Jennifer Davidson, Anna Brunner, and Dan Warner have also worked with the Sour Patch Kidz XP.

The junior team has previously attended SDC Rhythm XP indoor camps, where they met JaNette Lefkowitz, Steve Loufek, Chris Webb, and Doug Barron. Steve Lefkowitz has worked most extensively with the team members. The next Rhythm indoor camp was scheduled for the weekend following the NSL News visit to Paraclete XP, and the complete current Sour Patch Kidz XP lineup had already signed up for the training. They were in full preparation mode at Paraclete XP even before the Rhythm camp began. Coach Jaden Marron supervised the 4-way juniors as they alternated between technical 4-way sequences and focused skills drills.

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Sour Patch Kidz XP and XP8 in training at Paraclete XP on 4 February 2026

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The parents hope the 4-way juniors will continue competing together until they age out of the Youth League. Their long-term plan includes rotating new junior flyers into the lineup and rebuilding interest in a dedicated 4-way junior category for formation skydiving competition — similar to how it was conducted at indoor world championships and world cups several years ago.

Asher (12) and Carys (11) have joined Ravenna (12) and Sofia (12) as the newest teammates. Ravenna has been flying at Paraclete XP for nearly two years, while Sofia brings five years of tunnel experience. The all-junior lineup will once again register in the A/Beginner Class, where the previous mixed junior/senior team competed last year.

The Sour Patch Kidz will continue their weekly participation in the Youth League at Paraclete XP, where they develop additional flying skills and connect with other junior athletes — alongside their dedicated 4-way team training sessions. The parents remain fully supportive. In addition to their 4-way commitment, all four juniors are involved in other extracurricular activities and continue to maintain strong academic performance with good grades.