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.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

The trip out to Fort Wayne was not an easy one; cars were off the road in ditches, semi’s jack-knifed, and every weather station telling us not to travel. But, in the harshest of environments, members of the BRRG braved the elements and traveled to Fort Wayne Indiana.

First up the Xanadont’s with secret new weapons known as The Killustrator and Chrissie B. Hynde; came out with a strong effort but finished just shy of a win. Punk’d Pixie, Margarita Mayhem, and Vix Smackey showed an intense preview of what the ’09 season is going to look like (look out everyone, Pin-ups are contenders for the Cup). The Xanadont’s played well, but allowed fundamental mistakes to occur, fouls to hurt them, and fatigue to play a factor. It came to the last jam, but with a large crowd pumping the S.W.A.T. Team, the Xanadont’s were unable to come out on top.

I learned a lot sitting between Magic Lee Malicious and Quarter boy (GRRG) about personal styles and where working as a team is needed. I also learned a lot about inexperienced referees, and bad calls. I thank you both for your knowledge and friendship.

Now onto the All-Star Rematch; Burning River steps onto Fort Wayne turf missing a few key elements. One- The Validator: a major factor who scored many points in our first encounter with the Bomb Squad. Two- Slaughterama Mama: an incredible blocker who seems to gain energy when most others begin to feel fatigue. And three- Pain Austen: who yes did not play but has an expertise in observation when play a dirty team like the bomb squad. And yes I said Dirty! I know accidents happen and mistakes get made, refs do not see everything, but something’s you just cannot turn a blind eye to. I also understand that there will always be biased referees, and dirty skaters; and that will never change.

It was a treat to see you girls playing like a team out there! I did not see what I have seen in previous bouts; huge talent with no communication, every girl out there trying to get hers. A saw a major group effort and every girl knowing her role on the track. We had a rough start, with our first three jams, only scoring two points. But we started playing with good strategy and started nickel and dime jams. Then in a reverse of roles we started putting up major points and shutting down there jammer. By the end of the second half it was a one point game.

Unfortunately, it was becoming extremely apparent the referees from Fort Wayne had total disregard for WFTDA rules, especially when it came to fouls committed by their own players. I could go off on an hour tangent, about dozens of instances where I saw blatant fouls (by the bomb squad) with no call, or no foul or legal move being called as fouls (by BRRG). I believe this hurt the team in a way where we lost focus of the game; having to spend time and energy showing referees the fouls, and paying back the one who fouled, this is where there Jammer was able to break through the pack quick and leave our jammer fighting to get through. But in reality this is a situation we knew we were getting into, before we walked in the arena. Even speaking with members of GRRG I heard of dirty players in the bomb squad. We needed to be able to beat this team despite these hindrances. But when I look back at this bout, the team work that I saw out of the All-Stars, the moments where we every player on the track was just playing the game with such skill, technique and grace; for that I account the victory despite the score. This bout was a heck of a learning experience for me and I am sure many times over for the skaters.

Big ups go out to Slambassador for winning best blocker during the first bout; and Halochic during the All-Star bout. I must say special thank you to both Ivanna Destroya and Professor Booty for being concerned with my well being on my trip back (I made it safe!). Mad props to Gonnolea, just cuz she freakin rules! And last but not least Magic Lee Malicious for all her wonderful company and conversation there and back!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites