posted Jan 1st, 2012 - The Open Class competition at the USPA Nationals 2011 had three teams registered as guests. Black Cat, the visitors from Russia, were also one of the busiest competition teams of the 2011 season after attending a total of six meets.

The Black Cat travel agenda of 2011 was almost like a complete trip around the globe with stops in Dubai (January), Eloy (February), DeLand (March), on home turf in Russia (April, September) and back in Eloy for the USPA Nationals at the end of October. Black Cat is also one of the longest standing teams in the 4way world, and some team members go back as far as 2004 in 4way and even farther back in 8way.

The team name Black Cat appeared on the leaderboard for the first time in 2005 and has been a factor in the international 4way community ever since, even though the Sky Panthers have been dominating the 4way scene in Russia in the same time period.

USPA Nationals 2011		Rd. 1	Rd. 2	Rd. 3	Rd. 4	Rd. 5	Rd. 6	Rd. 7	Rd. 8	Rd. 9	Rd. 10	Total	Avg
Rank	AAA/Open Class	M,5,13	21,14,22	12,20,D	11,Q,16	O,C,10,K	P,L,19,8	18,6,2	15,9,G	7,F,17	A,B,N,J,3	Total	Avg
6	Throw Down	18	14	14	18	22	21	17	19	22	25	190	19.0
7	Russia Black Cat	19	15	16	19	20	18	15	19	16	26	183	18.3
14	Animal Unleashed	14	11	12	11	15	16	11	15	18	21	144	14.4

Three Black Cat members of 2006 (Vasily Korotkov, Alexander Kvochur, Evegeny Stashenko) scored the 44-pointer world record for a single round at the Malevsky Cup 2006 and are still in the current lineup, as well. Aleksander Golovkin was the alternate in 2006, while Alexey Minaev was the 4th for the world record. Vadim Niyazov was filming the 44-pointer in 2006 and is still on camera for Black Cat.

Vasily Korotkov, Alexander Kvochur and Evegeny Stashenko introduced new team member Valery Pripilyak at the Valentine's Meet 2011 and have been coaching him in 2011. The scoring progression has been consistent with the new 4way competitor (15.8 - 17.7 - 18.3) at the three meets with the new lineup (Valentines Meet , Shamrock Showdown, USPA Nationals).

Black Cat had re-activated Alexander Golovkin for the Russian Nationals 2011 hoping for a chance to beat the Sky Panthers with the highly experienced lineup. The 23.6 average was significantly higher than earlier in the 2011 season but not enough to win the national title over Sky Panthers. Valery Pripilyak was back in the lineup at the USPA Nationals and posted his highest meet average.

Animals Unleashed had only one guest competitor. Former Bodyflight Voluntas member Flemming Borup Andersen recently made the NSL News when he tried out for SDC Rhythm XP's open Center Inside slot. He was introduced by the NSL News on 16 December 2011. His team mate at the USPA Nationals, Samer Haija, had tried out for the Rhythm Tail slot in 2009.

Throw Down was not eligible for official USPA rankings since former Satori member Katie Woods was in the lineup. The NSL News reported on 29 October 2011 that Katie Woods and Ari Perelman had put together a lineup for the USPA Nationals that would challenge Mass Defiance's 19.3 amateur record average. Genesis/PD Blue members Ian Bobo and Kyle Collins were in the rear piece for Throw Down, while Katie Woods (Point) and Ari Perelman (Center Outside) formed the front piece.

Throw Down came once again very close, just as close as Arizona Divewerkz was in 2008. However, the 19.0 average was also three points short of the standing record, and all four Mass Defiance members, who witnessed the new challenge live in Eloy, will keep the record for another year - or maybe even longer...