Derby Name:
Hi 5
Number:
5
Team(s):
Cleveland Steamers, All-Stars
Position(s):
I’m happy to serve wherever duty calls.
What brought you to the world of derby?
I’ve been doing roller derby as long as I have lived in Cleveland. I moved up from Athens, Ohio to Cleveland in 2007 for a job and heard about BRRG just before they were to hold their first fresh meat August. It was great timing and I’ve enjoyed skating so much with everyone.
How do you feel you about your progress you’ve made since your start?
I feel like a completely different skater since I was that girl in the red tank top skating for the Steamers in Season Two. I skate differently, think and understand the game differently, and I think I have more strengths as a skater.
I loved Slambassador, why did you change your name?
I think it goes along with feeling like a different skater. Plus, it was a very long name that didn’t fit well on the back of a jersey. I will most likely change my name next year too. Let me know if you have any suggestions.
How did you trick Algebro into being a referee?
No tricks needed, he joined to share in this crazy derby thing but was surprised in how intellectually challenging and physically demanding it is to be a roller derby referee. It has been fun for him.
What skates are you currently using?
I skate in Riedells 395s.
What are your Season 5 personal goals?
Personal goals are to become a powerful hitter, get lighter on my skates, and learn how to use opposing blockers as “helpers” when trying to stop the opposing jammer. I would really like to play every position well eventually. All of those things plus I would love to be able to do hurricane kicks and the circle waltz on roller skates.
I noticed you have been doing a couple races lately, how has that been going?
It’s going well, I’m hoping to run a marathon in late September which is something that I’ve wanted to do for a while.
What are your hopes for the future of BRRG?
I would like for BRRG to continue to become more competitive at a national level.
What are your thoughts/feelings about Steamers from when you started, to current day?
The Steamers have always been a cohesive, fun team with an overwhelming number of secret nerds. The fun has always carried through but I’ve noticed our team really likes to talk about strategy and rules more now than ever. The nerd-ism has crossed over to derby.
What books have you been recently enjoying?
A few books that I’ve read that stand out recently are “No one belongs here more than you” which is a collection of short stories by Miranda July. I’ve also been reading “Marathon : the ultimate guide” by Hal Higdon. I am also revisiting some Flannery O’Connor.
Do you have any pre-bout antics to get you prepared?
I don’t have any antics per se but I do spend some quiet time alone and visualize what I want to do on the track.
How has roller derby affected your life?
I have turned into a jock for the first time ever, I’m not sure exactly when and how it happened, though I think Primp Daddy may have had something to do with it.I am more active than I have ever been in my life and maybe a little more dull headed. I also know so many inspiring women now and came to meet them almost instantly when joining the league.
How are you feeling about being on the travel team?
I like All-Stars, I enjoy the competitive camaraderie and playing with girls across the league that I don’t normally get a chance to join up with as teammates.
What do you do when you are not playing derby?
I like to run, lift, read, spend time with friends, take classes at CSU, and generally just enjoy living here in beautiful Cleveland.
In your opinion, how roller derby can achieve more recognition as a sport?
I think as more derby leagues are established and more people personally know someone playing the sport of roller derby, more people will come to know it as a sport. WFTDA and sports journalism play a huge role in getting it recognized as a sport. It would be great to see the WFTDA National Championships broadcast on television so that people could see the highest levels of athleticism of the sport of roller derby.
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I enjoyed reading through your interview. How is that book on marathon running?
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Hey WC: The book is more comprehensive than some of the other books I’ve read and Hal Higdon is a good writer, very conversational in a way. I think that book along with reading articles on active.com is a good way to go. He has a lot of running plans to choose from too. Thinking about running a marathon?
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WC
Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Well maybe someday I will train for a marathon but not anytime soon. R.E. sent a video my way dealing with the POSE method of running. I watched most of it and have been working some drills. You should check it out because it seems to be making my jogs easier.
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