Derby Name: Pretty Scarrie

Number: #80 MPH

Team(s): Hard  Knockers and Burning River All-Stars

Position(s): Pivot, Blocker, Wanna-Be Jammer

What brought you to roller derby?
The A&E reality show “Roller Girls” about 5 years ago  – I got addicted to watching it.  When I heard the buzz about cleveland putting together a league by an article I read on cleveland.com, I knew it was something I just had to do.

What made you want to play and what keeps you playing?
The early days of building the league from scratch were really special.   At first I, I just wanted to see if I could do it (just be a skater and not embarrass myself).  After that, I wanted stay around and be part of it and see how far we could go with bringing roller derby to the city of Cleveland.  Now I continue to play for the love and constant challenge of the sport as well as the opportunity to play other cities.  I feel extremely fortunate to be an All-Star.

Hard Knockers are in a place they have never been, what is happening there?
Yes, the HK’s have had some tough breaks the past two seasons, but don’t count us out.
NONE OF OUR BOUTS HAVE EVER BEEN BLOW OUT LOSSES.
We always keep the fans at the edge of their seats -  better yet – we get them out of their seats, standing up and cheering…   No fans leave early when we play…

If you could steal another member from the league and put her on the knockers, who would you take and why?
Wow – you are just starting trouble with that question, so I will politely decline to answer….

What has been the best moment of your derby career so far?
This season – although it’s been tough for the Hard Knockers as a team, I feel that my individual derby skills have advanced to a new level.  Im really starting to think like a jammer.

What do you like/dislike most about the travel team bouts?
I LOVE being an All-Star.  Its truly an honor to be picked to represent the league and our city.  Playing travel bouts are also a much higher level of strategy and athleticism.  I love playing against girls that I don’t know – or have only seen or heard of.  Its very intimidating at times, but SO exciting.

Who do you have the toughest time against on the track?
Where do I start?  There are SO many good skaters, that I honestly can’t pick just one. Now that I jam for the HK’s, I notice things differently.  Skaters like Stroker Ace, Ivanna Destroya and E. Gargiulo  are a real challenge to get around because they are so smart and patient.  They can control the speed of the pack. Getting trapped and trying to get around one of them is tough, two is nearly impossible When Halochic cuts a hard lateral, then clobbers you and sends you flying into the suicide seats, it doesn’t feel too good. Professor Booty is just RELENTLESS.

What do you think is ahead for derby as a sport?
I think (hope) derby will continue to evolve and be recognized as a legitimate sport.

What skates/gear are you currently using?
Riedell “Phase” skates – with some customization from Rich at Skater’s Edge.  I wear ankle strap stabilizers as well. All of my pads are TSG.  I like the TSG force knee pads in particular.  I wear Gladiator gaskets under them. My helmet is one of a kind – It was a “hand me down” from my son from when he used to skate board.  I don’t think its any name brand in particular.   Its silver chrome and covered with bullet holes! (Stickers – but they sure do look realistic!)   I love this helmet because it’s from my son, and because it’s the only silver chrome helmet I have ever seen.  Rich has been trying to locate another one for me, unsuccessfully for a while now.

How does it feel to be on the header of sk8intheface?
I feel like I’m not worthy of being there, as well as, extremely flattered and grateful.

What has been the worst injury you have received?
The beginning of last season, I bruised my left lower quad muscle right where it attaches to the knee cap. Luckily I didn’t tear anything, but I was off skates (and miserable) for about 3 months.  I also think I tore something or damaged something permanently in my right rotator cuff during our first season, because every time I raise my arm over my head to stretch, I can feel something pop inside. I never actually got treatment for it, so I don’t know for sure.  I just dealt with the pain and it eventually got better..  The popping thing doesn’t actually hurt and I have full range of motion, so I figured that’s good enough.  Maybe someday (if I re-injure it) I will go get it looked at.

How long do you feel you will play derby for?
My goal is a minimum of 5 years, or until my body falls apart.

what is your favorite movie of all time?
The Goonies

What are your thoughts on the new venue?
There are a lot of positive things about the new venue.  Overall I am happy.  I do miss the polished concrete floor from our old venue.  The sport court is taking a little time to get used to.

How has derby changed your life?
When I joined the league in 2006, I was a really unhappy person.  I could never have predicted all the twists and turns that took place since and how extremely rewarding and positive of an experience it has been.
Here are my top 10 experiences – in order!
(10) Learning how to skate backwards (at Brook Park skate before the league was really a league).   Mommy’s Little Monster and The Validator were the first friends I made.
(9) Being picked to be a Hard Knocker.
(8) Skating down Euclid Ave. in the pouring rain (and I mean POURING) with The Validator and Rouge Cheddar after some PR event.
(7) Serving as Skaters Relations director and working to make the league a success.
(6) Skating in Black & Blue – 11/26/2006 – our first EVER public event.
(5) Being awarded “Hardest Hitter” and “Most Feared” in 2007 the inaugural season of BRRG.
(4) Serving as Executive Director of the league for 2008 and seeing how much progress and how much all of us had accomplished together.
(3) Being picked to serve as Assistant Captain for the Hard Knockers 2009
(2) Playing for the BRRG All-Stars!!!!

(1) Becoming my own hero.

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