Derby Name: Finnish-HER

Number: 96

Team(s): Hard Knockers and All-Stars

Position(s): For the Knockers usually jammer, but I’m afraid to jam for travel team. Destroya has made me jam a few times. The first time I found out I was going to jam for travel team I cried! I know, right?

How did you learn of the league?

I actually tried to join the league when they first started up in 2006. I sent an email and was told that I would receive an email back with all the info I needed to get started. I never got that email. I am kind of timid when it comes to certain things so I never emailed back. I wish I would have. A few years later, through a mutual friend, I met Candy Snatcher. She put me on the right path.

What have you been working to get better at?

Just to be a better skater overall, but if I had to focus on one thing, it would definitely have to be endurance!

How do you feel about Season 4 Hard Knockers?

I am very excited about our 2010 team! I think I speak for everyone when I say we are really sad to lose Cheddar! But on the flip side we got MILFback, and our new rookies are badass! I am so happy to be a part of this team! I love the Hard Knockers!

What has been your favorite bout so far?

For the Knockers it would have to be the last bout of 2009 vs. the Pin-Ups. If you recall the first time we played the Pin-Ups last year it was a close game. In the last jam, the Pin-Ups were ahead. I had a really good jam and was able to tie up the game for overtime. But as quickly as I was a hero, I cut the track and had to serve the first minute of overtime in the box costing us that game.  The second time we played the Pin-Ups it was the same scenario. Last jam, anyone’s game, me vs. the infamous Eva Lucien…again! It was déjà vu! I was so nervous! Luckily this time we were able to pull out a win! It’s a great feeling to be the last jammer in a game like that when your team wins! For All-Stars, regional’s! All of it!

How did it feel being ‘09 Rookie of the Year and Hard Knocker MVP?

A MAZ ING!!! As a rookie, the skater I most admired and strived to skate like was Erin. To follow in her steps and win this award was a huge honor for me! And Hard Knocker MVP! This absolutely blew me away! I accused Monster of making people vote for me out of pity. I could not believe I won this! Also a HUGE honor! I never in a million years thought as a rookie, my team would consider me their MVP! ?

Do you have any advice to this year’s fresh meat? I’m not much at giving advice. I would like to say how proud of them I am. We all are. We have a great group of girls. I’m expecting great things from them.

Turn 2 focused much heckling toward you last season, any clue as to why?

I am glad you asked. NO! I don’t know why you heckled me so badly. Care to discuss?

It was fun because it gave me great pleasure to heckle you while I was speeding past you scoring points.

Now with our new “agreement” how do you feel not being heckled might affect your skating?

Oh I still anticipate you will heckle me. We’ll have to see how that goes. If not, instead of plugging my nose at you, I blow kisses.

Do you have a
philosophy that you live by? ummmm…. I love the song “My Philosophy” by Ben Folds Five. That’s about it. I’m not very philosophical. Is that bad?

Who would you thank most for your derby success? In general I would have to say Scarrie. She gave me a lot of tough love as a freshmeat. She really pushed me to give my all and it paid off. When it comes to jamming, Monster!  She taught me how to be a smart jammer. If you watch footage from our first bout last year, then our second, it’s like a different person! That was from Monsters help. Now is the part where everyone barfs a little but I’m going there anyway. Ian (Finnish-HIM) is a HUGE supporter! He makes me love this sport even more! Seeing how excited he gets and hearing his “wolf howls” from track side! It always pushes me to skate harder! He is amazing! ? I am soooooo lucky to have someone so enthusiastic about it. He loves this sport as much as I do. Widower of the Year!!!!! Woot Woot!

What has derby done for you as an individual? Before derby I was pretty much a hermit. I never went out and I had very few friends. Derby has had a huge impact on me and the person I am. Now I have a ton of friends, an extended family, two wives (Holly and Olive WOOT!), and I always have something to do. I must say it is a rare occasion for me to be bored anymore. I have made some really amazing life long friends!

For the fans who don’t know about the “Rip it” award, care to elaborate? Let’s just say I am a very gassy girl. I’ve been known to rattle a few rooms.

When you are not playing derby, what do you do for fun? I am a little bit of a game nerd. I LOVE playing The Legend of Zelda, and Silent Hill!

What do you feel will help propel the sport of Roller Derby? I think it needs to be revealed to people as the true sport that it is! So many people still have the idea that roller derby is just a gimmick rather than a sport. I have played a recognized “sport” before and I have to tell you, the athleticism, camaraderie, strategy and skill that goes into this sport is unlike any other I know. People who have never watched a modern competitive roller derby bout are missing out on an amazing thing!

Where do you see Roller Derby in 5 years? It’s hard to say. Hopefully it will continue to grow, and get the recognition and respect it deserves.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 6:01 pm and is filed under Previous Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.